CALGARY – An investigation by the RCMP has uncovered a skimming operation that targeted shoppers at the CrossIron Mills mall.
Bank security specialists contacted the RCMP on Tuesday, leading investigators to examine keypads at two stores.
Police found the keypads had been altered to capture payment card information and personal identification numbers entered by customers — known as skimming — which would allow criminals to then make unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.
The discovery of the two compromised keypads prompted police to examine the equipment at more than 200 retailers in the mall. The additional investigation turned up two more keypads that had been tampered with.
Investigators believe the keypads were installed sometime last month, and although some unauthorized withdrawals had been made, police said they discovered the scheme before all the skimmed data was used.
Police said anyone who uses electronic payment cards should regularly check their account statements and frequently change their PIN — even moreso if they recently bought something at CrossIron Mills recently.
The RCMP is providing more details about their investigation later this morning.
jvanrassel@theherald.canwest.com
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