While there have been no reports of the scammers in Mount Vernon to date, the task force has been made aware of the discovery of such devices in surrounding municipalities.
The devices are often hard to detect because they are small and often hidden behind the swiping mechanism, according to officials.
Thomas, however, had some tough words for those who may consider attempting the scam in Mount Vernon.
“Our Quality of Life Task Force is putting prospective criminals on notice – keep your crime and grime out of our town,” he said. “The task force is taking proactive steps to keep the public informed as the holiday season is fast approaching and people are using their credit cards. By working together, we can move Mount Vernon forward."
Thomas added that hiis team “is committed to protecting the wallets of all Mount Vernon residents in all corners of the town. It's a new day in Mount Vernon, and we won't allow scammers – human or otherwise – to take our hard-earned money.”
Officials remind residents to examine their credit card readers at gas stations before using them, to pull on the credit card readers to see if they become loose and to check the credit card reader for scratches, marks or any other sign of tampering.
Alert the Mount Vernon Police Department if something doesn't look right.
Residents are also reminded to monitor their credit cards and checking accounts.
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