Police: Card skimmers discovered at Market Baskets in Massachusetts, New Hampshire

Police are asking customers at space Market Baskets to remain vigilant after card skimmers have been discovered at a number of shops in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Skimmers, gadgets surreptitiously affixed to fee terminals, can steal card particulars to ship to a 3rd get together. Credit score or debit playing cards should be swiped as an alternative of inserted to ensure that the skimmer to acquire private info.

Harmony, New Hampshire, police stated on Wednesday that proof of skimmers have been discovered at Market Baskets within the metropolis and in Nashua, New Hampshire, and in Haverhill, Somerville, and Studying, Massachusetts.

Harmony Police Deputy Chief John Thomas confirmed to Boston.com that whereas the investigation is ongoing, all 5 incidents could also be linked. Thomas stated that the people recognized as putting the skimmers at every of the shops have dressed equally every time, with a trench coat, flat cap hat, and surgical masks. 

Skimmer gadgets have been situated at a Walmart and a Market Basket in Harmony, New Hampshire, final month; Harmony police decided each have been positioned by the identical two people.

The skimmer on the Walmart on Loudon Street in Harmony was hooked up to a self-checkout lane terminal for 2 days earlier than authorities have been notified, Thomas stated. On the Market Basket on Storrs Avenue, a card skimmer doubtlessly affected customers in an categorical lane for 10 days earlier than it was eliminated.

Somerville police stated one other skimming gadget was discovered on the Market Basket on Somerville Avenue on Oct. 30. It’s unclear whether or not it was discovered instantly or affected any clients, Somerville police informed Boston.com.

Thomas stated that customers mustn’t swipe their playing cards if the terminal’s chip reader slot is just not working and will as an alternative converse to a retailer affiliate.

“A telltale signal with these specific ‘skimmers’ is that the cardboard chip reader slot is inoperable and seems ‘jammed,’ inflicting the shopper to swipe the cardboard in order that the magnetic reader can steal the cardboard info,” Harmony police stated in a press launch on Monday.

Market Basket confirmed one terminal at every areas was affected by the gadgets.

“Presently, we’re not conscious of any buyer info being compromised, and we’ll proceed to watch this example intently,” a Market Basket spokesperson stated in a press release. “We’re additionally working with each state and native authorities to assist determine the accountable people.