I remember, when debit cards debuted on the scene, they were touted as heralding in the advent of a Cashless Society (why this was an objective, I could never understand…). I was skeptical, even as an adolescent.
It’s never ceased to amuse me how vehemently the credit agencies, cloud storage companies, retailers, everyone who handles customer data, defends their security protocols. “They are impenetrable!”, they declare! Even as a very young adult, I was able to identify the greatest Volume of vulnerability was to be found in disgruntled employees, an “Inside Job”, as it were.
Additionally, and as has ALWAYS been true, we live in a world where there are day-to-day attacks on an individual and more specified basis. Organized crime, or Inside Jobs are one thing, but one-on-one robbery and burglary are another Major vulnerability. And the relatively recent wave of Credit Card Skimmers fall into that second category.
These are devices that are affixed or attached right over top the fuel pump, or ATM, or card reader slot. Since the overwhelming (nay, complete and total) number of these devices are manufactured so as the entry slot where you insert the card protrudes out from the fuel pump or ATM, this makes affixing the tight-as-a-glove card skimmers possible–nay, SIMPLE.
My question, my proposal, is:
Were these machines ALL manufactured with a perfectly flush face, with a front that has nothing but a credit card sized slot, would it not make affixing a card skimmer to the device Much more difficult? If there were no protrusion to affix and slip your identical mock-up over top, perhaps they would be more obvious.
As we sadly recognize the relentless wave of “big-city” crime inch and inch it’s way into our bucolic country living, I am reminded of my conclusion, some thirty plus years ago. “Naahh. I think I’ll pay inside. CASH!”
Something to think about – Chris Cloud
