Card skimmer found at Topeka grocery store: TPD

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Topeka police are warning locals to be on the lookout for credit card skimmers appearing in the community.

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) posted to social media Friday, Aug. 16 warning people about the increasing threat of credit card skimmers in the area. These devices pose a danger to people's wallets as they can allow thieves to steal your credit card information while remaining unnoticed.

Rosie Nichols with the City of Topeka told 27 News police were called around 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 2 to the Dillons at 2815 SW 29th Street in response to a fraud call. An employee told police a card skimmer was found on a card reader.

Police found the device and collected it as part of an investigation. Nichols said this is the only skimmer the TPD has found in the last two months.

"Card skimmers are devices that look identical to card readers, are typically placed over the actual card reader, and steal your card information when you swipe or insert it and type your PIN. They’re often placed on card readers at ATMs, gas pumps and self-checkouts, or any card reader that may be unattended for a period of time."

Topeka Police Department social media statement excerpt

The TPD also included a series of photos showing how a skimmer can be applied to a card-reading device. People are encouraged to keep an eye out for signs of a credit card skimmer on any card-reading devices they use.

Police also gave some advice on things to look for when dealing with a potential card skimmer. These include the following:

• Inspect card readers before inserting your credit or debit card.
• Does the card reader look tampered with?
• Is the alignment between the card reader and the panel beneath it off?
• Is the card reader loose, off-centered?
• Compare your card reader with others nearby.
• Look inside the reader for a thin plastic circuit board – if the circuit board is visible, this is a skimmer.
• If available, use a register with a staff member.
• Use tap to pay or contactless pay whenever possible.

Police reported finding a card skimmer earlier this year in May on a Topeka 24-hour ATM. At the time, this was the only device police found in Topeka in 2024.

You can make reports of card skimmers by contacting the TPD at 785-368-9551. For more information on card skimmers, check out the Kansas Department of Agriculture's website.

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