Los Gatos thefts linked to code-stealing device at Lunardi's

At least 25 people have had their debit card and personal identification numbers stolen while shopping at Lunardi's Supermarket, 720 Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos, police said today.

I've heard about how thieves are getting more high tech and doing this kind of stuff. It's not common but they also have devices that can intercept your PIN number remotely, kind of like how someone hacks into your computer. I've also heard of thieves installing removable boxes inside the blue USPS drop-off boxes to intercept mail that may contain checks, credit card numbers and gift cards.

This theft just gives me one more reason to use a credit card over an ATM or debit card. Unless the temptation of credit is too great, I never understood why someone would prefer having money taken directly from their checking account rather than having a 30-day grace period and possibly earning rebates and rewards. You also are not liable for fraudulent purchases. I never use my debit card because my bank charges a fee for usage, which I think is lame since it's taking money directly from my own account. I'd rather use my credit card anyway.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9095919

Believe it or not, this scam actually hit real close to home for us:
http://www.socialwave.net/topics/1546/

This is not a new method of stealing debit cards, but since the time it happened to our roommate, I've heard reports of people rigging stuff that's in public like the Lunardi ATM story... totally amazing.

Snopes has some interesting pics of how some of the paraphenalia used to execute these sort of scams may look like, though the theft devices have probably evolved to counter changes in the design of ATMs and card readers to thwart these thieves.

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/atm/atmcamera.asp

It's not really news to me that these things exist. I'm kinda paranoid about preventing ID theft and the like and keep up on this. But it just goes to show how easy it is for thieves to do this. I especially love the snail mail I get marked FINAL NOTICE for an auto warranty when I never received a first notice, and my car is 15 years old, and has never been under warranty for the whole 10 years I've owned it. Like anyone is gonna give me a warranty for a '93 Accord (and like I'm really going to pay for one! ) Blue Book value is $1,500 if I'm lucky!

Here's a follow-up story to the Lunardi's theft.

Police get break in ID theft case
BUT PAIR FREED ON BAIL IN ORANGE COUNTY ARREST
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9216246?IADI...mercurynews.com

The thieves have stolen "about $225,000 from the 222 victims who swiped their debit cards at the Lunardi's on Blossom Hill Road. Thieves swapped out part or all of a debit-card-reading machine with an easily hidden skimming device that collects a shopper's card number and personal identification information."

Here's a related story.

Arco debit-card scams in San Jose, Los Altos linked to statewide ring
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9416625

Beware of using ATM card readers at Arco.