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Check Your Records: Skimmer Discovered At Area Grocer

    The Umatilla Police Department has opened an investigation after a device designed to collect credit and debit card information was discovered at the Umatilla Save A Lot.  The device was attached to a register at the store for an unknown amount of time before its discovery and removal on July 3.
    Umatilla Police Chief David Seeley outlined the situation on Tuesday, stating the device was installed over the register 1 transaction keypad, and was discovered by an employee after a customer’s card failed to correctly read.
    "The transaction wasn't going through," Seeley said, "She called over the manager and the manager discovered it."
    The store contacted the department, which removed the device and has launched an investigation, which includes watching hours of video from the store in an attempt to identify the person who installed the reader.  Additionally, the unit is on its way to a Secret Service field office in Orlando for in-depth review.
    There is a wide variety of skimming devices in the world, and it is unknown at this time if this particular reader transmitted information to another location, or if it simply collected information.  If it was the latter, then it would appear the device was discovered before customer accounts could be compromised. However, since it could be the type that transmits data, Seeley is asking customers to review their transaction records.
    “Check your account balances and transaction records,” Seeley said.  If there is any suspicious activity, reach out to us,” he said.  The department can be reached at 352-669-3561.
    Additionally, Seeley is asking if anyone saw any suspicious activity around the unit to let the department know.  It is unknown exactly how long it would take to install such a skimmer and a person working at the transaction keypad could have presented as conducting themselves in a suspicious way.
    It is rare for such a unit to be installed in a retail outlet in Umatilla.  In fact, department officials said this is believed to be the first time a skimmer has been installed other than at a gas station.
    “It’s usually gas stations,” Seeley said of the installations, “At the pumps.”
    The unit itself presents as a replica of the keypad area of a transaction head unit.  The skimmer simply slides over the same area of the base unit, allowing it to read cards, and pin numbers, as they are used by customers.