Gov. Wolf signs legislation to ban skimmer devices

Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation last week that updates the crime code to establish the crime of possession and use of skimmer devices.

House Bill 1918 increases penalties for the possession and use of these devices, as well as for transferring stolen information, making it a felony for the first offense.

Skimmers are card readers that illegally collect data from a credit or debit card’s magnetic strip. They can be placed over or inside authentic card readers and be combined with a concealed camera that can record Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).

“Skimmer devices and fraudulent activity costs retailers billions and make consumers feel uneasy about transactions,” Wolf said. “This important legislation will help to increase protections for Pennsylvanians.”

The legislation reflects ongoing administration efforts through the Department of Banking and Securities, State Police, Department of Agriculture, and the Office of the Attorney General to educate consumers, business owners, law enforcement, and gas pump inspectors throughout Pennsylvania about the dangers of card skimmers.