Hidden cameras abound. Knowing how to spot them can help protect you against credit card skimming. Skimming involves attaching a device to a card reader that can copy your card data- but the bad guys also need your pin number. That is where the cameras come into play. The camera would be placed in a location that can see the buttons as you enter your pin number.
This hidden camera and a skimming device were found by a customer earlier this week in a vending machine at the 59 Street-Columbus Circle station. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is warning New Yorkers to keep an eye out for hidden cameras installed in MetroCard machines.
Covert camera over Metro Card machine.
This recent find in the NYC Subway was a camera installed in what appeared to be an electric outlet expansion plug. It was stuck over the MetroCard machine.
Pigeon’s eye view of the camera housing.
The skimming device was attached to the machine:
Skimming device attached to MetroCard machine.
This skimmer looks pretty sloppy, but they can be very well designed, complete with bank logos and very hard to detect without careful inspection.
At compromised bank ATM vestibules, the bad guys often install the skimmer on the outer door to the vestibule where customers must swipe their cards for after hours banking. Most people pay less attention to the card slot on the entrance door than they would to the reader on the machine. One tip for protecting against this type of skimming technique is to use a different card for access to the ATM lobby than what you use for withdrawal of the cash. Most any credit or debit card even from a different bank will allow the door to open, then use a different card at the machine. That way even if your pin was recorded, it would not match up to the data in the skimmer.
MetroCard spy camera guts plus battery pack.
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Read more at MTA.info
In October of 2013, four people were arrested in connection with cameras and skimming on the Long Island Rail Road.
photos courtesy of the MTA