After Walmart in Puyallup found credit-card skimmer, police connected man to 3 more

A 23-year-old man faces felony charges after a Puyallup Walmart was found to have credit-card skimmers installed at its self-checkout terminals. The skimming devices were active for a month, potentially affecting at least 726 customers who used their cards during that time. The suspect is charged with unlawful factoring of transactions, with penalties that could reach 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for repeat offenses. Surveillance footage and licensing records were critical in identifying the suspect, who has not yet been apprehended. Investigators believe he was part of a larger group, as video evidence shows multiple individuals installing the skimmers.

Credit-card skimmers pose a significant threat to consumers, leading to unauthorized purchases and identity theft. The FBI warns that skimming costs exceed $1 billion annually, highlighting the need for consumer vigilance. To protect against such fraud, customers are advised to inspect terminals for tampering and prefer tap-to-pay options over swiping or inserting cards.