ZIONSVILLE — A woman in Zionsville is warning others after she says someone stole hundreds of dollars using her debit card information over the weekend.
Lyndsey Maldonado says when she checked her account after her card got declined this weekend, there was no money left in her account.
"It said there is a transaction for $500, $300 dollars and it was not my spending," Maldonado said.
She posted about it on Facebook and says at least seven other people in Zionsville also had unrecognized charges on their cards.
Maldonado thinks someone stole her information from a skimming device, which can steal the information using your card's magnetic strip.
Zionsville police say they are still working to determine where the skimming device is located.
Police provided the following tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of the scammers:
- Pay with cash if possible.
- Pay inside the store where it is less likely the credit card reader has been tampered with.
- Use the chip reader on your credit card rather than swipe.
- Use credit card, rather than debit card whenever possible. By utilizing your debit card you have now provided instant access to your bank account and your hard earned money.
- Visually inspect the card reader before you use your credit card. If you feel it has been tampered with report your concerns and pay inside.
- Try to utilize will-lit and well-maintained gas stations. Look for stickers or other signs that gas pumps are regularly inspected.
- Keep a close eye on your bank accounts. The most important step you can take to protect yourself is one you should be doing no matter where you’re making your purchases. Review your account activity frequently.
