Secret Service recovers 13 ‘skimming’ devices in Dallas-Fort Worth operation
Secret Service agents recovered 13 illegal credit card skimming devices from Fort Worth-area businesses during an outreach operation this week, officials said.
Agents from the Secret Service’s Dallas field office partnered with local law enforcement to conduct the operation, which is projected to have prevented up to $13.5 million in consumer losses.
Law enforcement teams visited 462 businesses in Tarrant County and examined close to 3,000 credit card devices, gas pumps and ATMs during the operation, recovering 13 skimming devices, according to a news release.
Skimming devices are illegally installed in those places and are used to capture card data and cardholder PIN entries, according to the FBI. Criminals use the captured data to create fake payment cards, steal from victims or make fraudulent purchases.
To protect yourself from skimming operations, the Secret Service recommends:
- Inspecting ATMs, point-of-sale terminals and other card readers. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Do not use a card reader if anything appears unusual.
- Using tap-to-pay technology or use debit and credit cards with chip technology.
- If using a debit card at a gas station, running it as a credit card to avoid entering a PIN.
- Using ATMs in a well-lit, indoor location, which are less vulnerable targets.
- Being alert for skimming devices in tourist areas, which are popular targets.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM.
