Spotting skimmers can be incredibly difficult to spot for the average person. But some researchers are developing a new way to fight scammers.
It's called "The Skim Reaper" and A University Of Florida professor and his students are behind the device. "The Skim Reaper is basically a credit card-shaped device that you use like a regular credit card," said Professor Patrick Traynor. "It counts the read-heads in the device and will tell you in a second if you have a skimmer."
Traynor says creating the device has personal meaning. He has had his credit cards skimmed by thieves six times in three years.
The current prototype is still a bit clunky but the team hopes to be able to make it as small as a credit card so people can carry it in their wallets and purses. The device is currently being tested by several law enforcement agencies across the country.