The Village of Holland police department is seeking information leading to the arrest of two suspects in a skimming operation that occurred at the Holland Walmart.
Lieutenant Jim Piotrowski said the device was discovered January 10 and appears to have been installed on December 15, 2023.
Skimming is a method used by identity thieves to capture payment and personal information from a credit card holder.
Several approaches may be used by fraudsters to procure card information, with the most advanced approach involving a small device called a skimmer that reads the information stored in a card’s magnetic strip or microchip.
The lieutenant said they believe two men are responsible for installing the device and may have been involved in a similar skimming at a Cleveland retail establishment.
“This the first I’m aware of it in the village,” he added.
The department has received several tips, but no arrests have been made.
He urges anyone with information to contact Officer Raul Cuellar, who is handling the investigation. He can be reached at officer.cuellar@hollandohio .com.
Cardholder Tips
Cardholders should be cautious of any suspicious devices involved with an electronic payment.
To avoid having the card skimmed, cardholders should maintain possession of it or keep it in sight at all times. Dining at restaurants with a collective checkout also can help ensure a card is not compromised when taken from the cardholder.
Anyone who is a victim of skimming is advised to file a report with local law enforcement.
The theft should be reported to your card issuer. Typically, cardholders have 60 days from the statement date to file a dispute regarding unauthorized charges.
Victims also should set up a free fraud alert or credit freeze by contacting the three major credit reporting agencies.
