Credit Card Skimming is a Growing Concern with the Secret Service

Credit Card Skimming is becoming a growing concern across the country. So much so that the Secret Service is getting involved by warning citizens of the dangers. And when the Secret Service is getting involved, it must be serious business.

http://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/index.ssf/2013/10/creditdebit_card_skimming_a_real_danger_south_jersey_secret_service_officials_warn.html

The lengths some individuals will go to to skim credit cards and use others information blows our mind! Check out this story: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/police-release-photos-of-man-sought-over-using-skimmer-to-clone-credit-cards-across-adelaide/story-fnii5yv7-1226754987867

Breach

What would you do if you found out your companies computer system was breached and hundreds of your customer’s cards were compromised? Alpine specializes in making sure this sort of situation never happens to you and your business. Contact us today to find out more (877)217-0707 

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/hundreds-debit-card-numbers-stolen-washington-busi/nSBsx/

Do you want $50.00?

We recently took a look at how many people "like" our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alpine-Payment-Systems/86889831127). We did some quick math and see that if you share our page with 10 of your friends we could easily get to 1700 likes overnight. That said, as a kick off to fall, were are going to be awarding $50.00 to the person who shares this post and turns the most amount of friends onto our page. So get going, the winner will be announced next week!!!

Skimming CA

KMPH FOX 26 | Central San Joaquin Valley News Source

How do they do it?

Detective Bob Watts of Newport Beach PD shows us how easy it is for someone to create their very own credit card using your cards information.

What is EMV?

 

Alpine Payment Systems is your EMV specialist

What is EMV?

EMV is an acronym for Europay International, MasterCard and Visa. Essentially EMV was established to provide a worldwide standard for the interaction between chip-based "smart cards" and approved payment devises. Currently more than 40% of countries use EMV cards and over 70% use EMV payment devises. Until now, the U.S. has not followed this trend, preferring mag-stripe cards instead.

Why Now?

Visa recently announced a definite, phase migration plan to accelerate the adoption of EMV chip-card standards in the U.S. (READ THE PLAN)

How Does it Work?

EMV devices are able to read data stored on a chip within the card. By using chips as an active part of the payment transaction, EMV cards and devices help prevent credit card fraud from stolen account numbers and cloned payment cards. Each chip-based card is embedded with encrypted data. During the transaction authorization process, the encrypted data is used to verify the card's authenticity. Strong cryptographic functions are used to authenticate the card and cardholder to ensure the validity and authenticity.

Additional Information:

EMV Key Dates

EMV- As easy as ABC

Fund a Criminal- let your card out of your hand

Man used skimmed credit cards to make 19 duplicates and used them to go on a shopping spree. How would you feel if yo funded a criminals shopping spree without ever letting your card out of your possession?

http://www.winknews.com/Lights-Sirens/2012-08-09/Man-accused-of-making-credit-cards-using-skimming-device

Dine Fraud Free

Credit Card Skimming reportedly cost merchants more than $200 Million a year in the restaurant industry alone. Below is a great article on how skimming scams come about. The easiest way to prevent these is setting up the Alpine Payment Systems DINE FRAUD FREE program. To learn more or set up your establishment call us today (877)217-0707 

http://www.fastcasual.com/blog/8471/Credit-Card-Skimming-A-business-and-customer-nightmare

$500k is the typical day in skimmer frauds

"A typical day sees about $500K in skimmer frauds per day" It is absurd that a little time checking the device you are using your card with and not letting your card out of your hand can prevent skimming as outlined in the article below- http://www.examiner.com/article/skimmer-card-fraud-socks-comerica-bank

Spotting Credit Card Skimming

Ever worried you are going to lose your card information when you pay at the pump or use a random ATM? Here is a great read on how to spot credit card skimming and hopefully avoid it.

http://libertysecurity.ca/how-to-spot-credit-card-skimming.html

Lessons Learned

Having a faulty firewall in your point of sale system can lead to a breach of your credit card software. This Vancouver Island business learned this lesson first hand. 

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Vancouver+Island+goers+bank+cards+breached/6889485/story.html

Food Court Skimming Leads to $100,000.00 in losses

Skimming at a food court restaurant leads to over $100,000.00 in losses. Authorities do not know if a single person was skimming cards or if the computer system was hacked. Either way, Alpine Payment specializes in helping your business be protected from crimes like this with hand held equipment and ensuring our customers are following all PCI compliance requirements.

http://www.startribune.com/local/160736035.html

Life for skimming

Man who led a skimming ring responsible for skimming 38,000 credit and debit cards has been convicted and is now looking at a life sentence.

http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/skimming-conviction-good-sign-a-4897

Talk about scary-

Not only do you have to worry about employees skimming your credit card information, in some cases you need to be weary of the business owner!!

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-25/news/os-credit-card-skimming-silvio-leon-20120625_1_credit-cards-credit-card-numbers-embosser

What is EMV?

Alpine is leading the merchant processing industry with EMV technology and this is why: APS recognizes that over the last few years Europe's switch to EMV has lead the country to year after year decrease in skimming and credit card fraud. To learn more about EMV you should check out Alpine Payment System's site.

http://www.alpinepaymentsystems.com/credit_card_processing/emv_europay_mastercard_and_visa.html

Largest Security Breaches

PCI compliance can save your business from hackers taking your customers cards. As consumers, businesses that keep up with PCI compliance have your card security in mind. Here is a list of some of the largest security breaches to date. (Be prepared for some mind blowing numbers!)

 http://www.csoonline.com/slideshow/detail/31963#slide16