A police search turns up 20 ATM skimmers
A Fairfax County Police operation to search ATMs across the county discovered 20 skimming devices used to steal personal credit card and bank information.
Three skimmers were found at these locations in the Annandale/Mason District area:
- Americana Grocery of Virginia, 6128 Columbia Pike, Lake Barcroft.
- Chicken House & Bakery, 7448-B, Little River Turnpike, Annandale.
- 7-Eleven, 3337 Glen Carlyn Drive, Bailey’s Crossroads.
Detectives from the FCPD Financial Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, searched 287 point-of-sale terminals, 158 ATMs, and 46 gas pumps at convenience stores, discount stores, and grocery stores.
Detectives are continuing to work with the Secret Service to examine the 20 skimmers they removed and identify suspects linked to their installation.
“While no arrests were made during this operation,” the FCPS states, “the partnership allows investigators to share data, analyze patterns, and pursue leads that may connect these devices to larger fraud networks.”
Credit card skimming devices are often small, discreet, and designed to blend in seamlessly with legitimate card readers.
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The FCPD offers the following tips to prevent being scammed by a skimmer:
- Before using an ATM or gas pump, look closely at the card reader and keypad. If the card slot looks loose, bulky, or mismatched in color or material compared to the rest of the machine, it could be a skimmer.
- Check for hidden cameras. Skimmers are often paired with tiny cameras aimed at capturing your PIN. Look for any unusual attachments, pinholes, or objects positioned near the keypad.
- Do not accept assistance from anyone you don’t know while using an ATM or payment device. Scammers sometimes pose as helpful bystanders to distract you or capture your information.
- Cover your PIN. Always use your hand to shield the keypad while entering your PIN, even if you don’t see anything suspicious.
- Use familiar or well-lit locations. Whenever possible, use ATMs inside banks or high-traffic areas where criminals are less likely to install devices.
- Review your bank and credit card statements frequently for unauthorized transactions, even small ones, which can signal a compromised card.
- Use contactless payment methods. Tap-to-pay cards or mobile wallets provide an extra layer of protection, as they don’t transmit your physical card data.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of skimming or notice a suspicious device, do not attempt to remove it. Instead, call the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.
As someone who works in cybersecurity, I’m not surprised to see ATM skimmers turning up across Northern Virginia. High traffic, high income, and high transaction volume make this region a prime attraction for fraud crews. If there were a travel brochure for financial crime, we’d be listed under “must visit.”
The holiday hustle only makes it easier for them. We’re rushing from store to store, juggling errands, and trying to remember who we forgot to shop for. That’s when criminals strike. Distracted people rarely notice that the card reader looks like it was installed with a glue stick and a prayer.
It’s why I treat every ATM like a suspect in a crime show. I pull, push, wiggle, and tap every surface. If anything shifts, I walk away. I do the same at gas pumps. And whenever tap to pay is available, I use it. You can’t skim a card that never goes in.
Even after all that, I still shield my PIN like I’m entering launch codes. The real threat is often the tiny camera someone taped on with the enthusiasm of a grade school science project.
A few seconds of awareness can save you months of cleanup after a compromised card. Consider it Annandale’s seasonal reminder: trust, verify, and never let a keypad catch you shy surprise.