The U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, conducted a two-day operation in the Orlando area aimed at stopping illegal payment card skimming and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) fraud. The initiative took place on December 2-3 and resulted in the removal of 16 illegal skimming devices from businesses across Osceola, Orange, and Seminole counties.
During the operation, law enforcement teams visited 853 businesses and inspected over 7,340 point-of-sale terminals, gas pumps, and ATMs. Educational materials were also distributed to help business owners recognize illegal skimming devices.
“EBT fraud is an epidemic around the country. It’s so devastating to families that are victimized. With these skimmer operations, we’re able to connect different individuals to these crimes and we’ve been very successful,” said Special Agent in Charge Caroline O’Brien-Buster of the U.S. Secret Service – Orlando Field Office. “These nefarious actors are very organized and they’re very good at what they do, but so are we. We can’t do what we do without our partners, and we are very, very appreciative of them.”
Multiple agencies participated in the operation including sheriff’s offices from Brevard, Citrus, Orange, and Osceola counties; police departments from Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Orlando, and Sanford; as well as the Florida Department of Agriculture.
“The bad guys that we are targeting, mostly transnational organized crime groups, they travel the United States, and they know what they’re doing, and they know that we are on to them,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Peck of the Secret Service Criminal Investigative Division.
The Secret Service noted that this effort follows other similar operations across the country. Payment card skimming remains a widespread issue affecting both financial institutions and consumers nationwide.
Skimming technology allows criminals to steal payment card numbers by placing hidden devices on ATMs or point-of-sale terminals. The stolen data is then encoded onto another card for fraudulent use. Annual losses due to skimming exceed $1 billion for financial institutions and consumers.
Authorities advise consumers to take several precautions: inspect card readers for signs of tampering before use; prefer tap-to-pay or chip-enabled cards; run debit cards as credit at gas stations when possible; shield PIN entries from view; choose indoor ATMs when available; and remain alert especially in tourist areas where such scams are more common.
