Card skimming and fraud across Washington state

Card skimmers have been found across Washington state. This list of stories illustrates how criminals use the devices, including at gas stations and grocery stores, to steal account data. The articles also show that suspects often work in groups and use fake IDs or counterfeit payment cards to access stolen money.

NO. 1: CARD SKIMMERS FOUND ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE. HOW TO SPOT ILLEGAL DEVICES ON CARD READERS

Both law enforcement agencies and financial institutions are offering consumers advice for avoiding card skimmers. | Published January 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

NO. 2: WSP CADETS’ BELLINGHAM TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARREST FOR FRAUD, CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION

What was originally a standard stop for cadets in training turned into a much larger arrest. | Published February 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jack Belcher

A credit card skimmer plate recovered from a previous incident by Richland Police Department is shown here. By Richland (WA) Police Department

NO. 3: AFTER WALMART IN PUYALLUP FOUND CREDIT-CARD SKIMMER, POLICE CONNECTED MAN TO 3 MORE

At least 726 “customer access devices” were used at Walmart registers while a skimmer was installed, according to court documents. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

NO. 4: PUYALLUP CREDIT-CARD SKIMMING SCAM COMPROMISED 900+ CARDS, DRAINED ACCOUNTS

A 53-year-old man and a 39-year-old man have each been charged with first-degree identity theft and first-degree theft. | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.