The Civil Guard warns of the danger of a scam known as 'skimming': "It only takes a few seconds to clone it..."

Scams related to bank accounts and credit cards are increasing in number. According to a 2023 report on crime in Spain published by the Ministry of the Interior, approximately 40,065 such scams are committed annually in our country.

What initially seemed like attacks requiring some user participation have become genuine scams that can turn an everyday activity into a scam in which the victim loses all the money in their bank account.

Paying by card in supermarkets, stores, and restaurants can pose a real danger due to skimming. Santander Bank defines this type of scam as "a term that comes from the English word 'to skim' (to skim quickly or skim), so criminals use various devices, known as skimmers, to steal data without the victim's knowledge ."

This scam is usually carried out by making transactions at an ATM or paying at a pre-tampered point-of-sale (POS) terminal . The dangers of this type of scam are very diverse and numerous.

"Once criminals have obtained bank card information, they can make purchases, contract services, or withdraw money, among other transactions, as well as sell the information on the black market so that a third party can carry out the fraud," the bank explains.

Given the rise of this scam, the Civil Guard has used social media to alert users and explain how to act appropriately to avoid theft. "When you pay by card, keep an eye on it. It only takes a few seconds to clone it and then commit a scam . Request a mobile reader to pay."