Pooler Couple Falls Victim to Skimming Scam

POOLER, Ga. -- A Pooler couple said despite all their efforts to keep personal information safe, an identity thief still managed to steal it.

Skimming has been around for years. It's when thieves use a device to record your card information when you swipe your card. The machines can be attached to an ATM or other card machine. Some devices are even handheld.

Linda and Charles Archer thought they were doing everything right. They regularly check their bank statements and credit reports and shred any documents with their personal information on it. But even with all their precautions, a thief still managed to steal their hard-earned money.

The Archers thought debit cards were a safe way to spend money, until they noticed something suspicious with their bank account.

"I went 'Wait, what? Wait a minute. Something's missing..." I checked the bank, and it said it was 2 transactions on there I know we didn't do," said Linda. Their bank found two ATM withdrawals totaling one thousand dollars. The thief even checked the balance on the account first.

"There were transactions from Ohio. Ok, we've never been to Ohio," she said.

The bank believes the Archers' information got skimmed when they used a debit card. It could've been at an ATM, gas pump, or any where else.

"It can happen to anyone at any place at any time, and everyone needs to know this," said Charles. Luckily, the bank gave them new cards, changed their PINs, and is refunding their account, but it's not a situation the Archers take lightly.

"It's very scary because you feel violated, but you feel angry," said Linda.

"Now I'm cautious even more, so I"ll be using cash instead of the ATM card now," said Charles.

The Archers say they had a false sense of security.

"I've seen it on the TV where they have these devices and they can do that, but I said, 'Ok, we're in Pooler, Georgia,'" said Linda. They want to make sure others are aware that you need to stay vigilant.

"You have to check your account and check your equifax and your experian, all your credit records," said Charles.

Experts say you can protect yourself sometimes just by taking a closer look at the machines. If something looks strange, don't use it.

A recent report by Bank Info Security says ATM skimming is expected to be among the top forms of fraud banking customers will face this year.