South Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Feb 29, 2024) – In a disconcerting discovery, a credit card skimming device was unearthed on a payment terminal at the 7-11 store located at 2620 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. The nefarious device was brought to light on Wednesday when a vigilant customer noticed irregularities in the customary blinking lights while attempting to make a credit card payment.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is actively urging individuals who frequented the 7-11 store to scrutinize their credit and debit card statements. Authorities are currently in the process of reviewing the store’s security footage to determine when the skimming device was planted, estimating that it could have been operational for the past few days.
Notably, this incident marks the reappearance of credit card skimmers in South Lake Tahoe since a similar device was discovered on an ATM following the 4th of July weekend in 2021.
A “skimmer” is a stealthy device illicitly attached to a credit card reader, enabling criminals to surreptitiously collect personal information from unsuspecting victims.
SLTPD is advising the public to closely monitor their account balances for any suspicious activity. As an added precaution, individuals who used their cards at the aforementioned 7-11 are encouraged to consider canceling the cards. The department is also urging other local businesses to inspect their card payment machines for signs of tampering.
Collaborating closely with 7-11 management, law enforcement is diligently reviewing surveillance footage to glean further insights into the incident. Anyone possessing information related to the case or who may have fallen victim to fraud in the past few days is encouraged to contact the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at (530) 542-6100.
This development underscores the importance of public awareness and vigilance in safeguarding personal financial information, particularly in an era where such criminal activities persist. The SLTPD is committed to a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the community’s security.
