Warning: New scam targets Walmart shoppers

Walmart, one of the most important and popular stores in the U.S., is in the middle of the storm after people found that their credit card information was stolen.

American Web Media reported that the incidents started at a Fort Wright, Kentucky Walmart location. The thieves, who were not immediately identified, installed small devices called ‘credit card skimmers.’

The first time people found them was on May 11 at the aforementioned store. It was described as ‘almost imperceptible electronic device’ that get placed on top of a credit card reader.

As soon as a card is swiped, the skimmer steals the information of the magnetic strip. Even though authorities don’t know who installed the devices, they believe they work in the store.

When the device was found and removed, it was too late as it had stolen the information of thousands of customers who had bought items during the previous weeks.

Fort Wright Police Chief Dan Kreinest gave a lot of credit to the thieves as installing a skimmer in a store with a surveillance system as advanced as the one in Walmart’s stores was ‘pretty bold.’

Thanks to the videos that the store provided to the police, they identified two suspects and made publish their images as a way to ask the public for help identifying them.

Kreinest added that the suspects did not park at the Walmart but off-site, which made them even more suspicious. While it was very uncommon, it was not the only store that suffered the same.

It happened at a Fredericksburg, Virginia Central Park Walmart. The checkout machines also had a similar device that stole the credit and debit card information of at least 37 people.

Most of the victims noticed that large sums of money were illegally withdrawn from their accounts at ATM machines across Virginia. Walmart senior manager of Communications Erica Jones released a statement pointing out that their employees were not responsible for the crimes.