Quote:
Originally Posted by Vitamin-X
Some Restaurants will leave a portable Pin machine at your table for ease of use.
Eekk, not very secure.
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I'm a loss prevention expert, so here we go:
Actually those are the most secure debit machines because the pinpad is part of the main machine, so it can't be switched out as it's one unit. Most pinpad scams involve the scammers switching out the store's pinpad for a pinpad that records pin numbers and account numbers. The scammers leave that pinpad there for a length of time, then return later to retrieve it and use the numbers it has recorded. Usually, your card won't actually be compromised until 5-10 days after you used it on the compromised machine, so don't assume that it was the last place you shopped - chances are it wasn't. Keep your eyes out for debit pinpads that are not secured to the cash desk (not just the operational cable, there should be a security cable as well) - if there's not, ensure that the store has been keeping the pinpad out of reach of the public when it's not in use. If they're not doing this, don't use your debit card there.
If you work somewhere and you're afraid your pinpad(s) may have been compromised, simply call your service provider (the bank, you should have a manual that came with the machine) and have them confirm that the serial numbers on the back of your pinpad(s) are correct. If they're not, they'll immediately send a technician to replace them - in the meantime, do not use the terminal or the pinpad.
Someone mentioned credit cards with microchips - take a look at your credit card, most new cards have them. The problem is that a lot of companies have not switched to the machines that support the microchip. My store's debit POS terminal has the ability to read the microchips, and it's impossible to put through a credit card purchase (refunds are OK) without inserting the microchip. We use the TD Freedom IV terminal, it's by far the best terminal I've ever used and we love the microchip factor because it's very secure and protects against cloned cards.
Coffee shops and fast food restaurants (especially smaller establishments) are the most prone to debit card fraud because they process a large number of transactions daily and often have their POS terminals sitting on a counter where it's very easy to switch out the pinpads. Scams like this are well planned and executed so quickly that no one notices - it only takes a second for an employee to turn his/her back and someone switch out the pinpad. And it only takes one stupid employee to believe a scammer with a "work order" from the "bank"!