skimming

A credit and debit card scam in which crooks tamper with debit-card processing equipment at the point of sale -- inserting a tiny device into the store equipment that enables them to read the magnetic strip as it is swiped.

The best way to avoid skimming is to be vigilant at the gas station pump, or wherever you use your debit card. Look for anything out of place. When you insert your card, wiggle it while it’s in the slot. If something seems loose, there might be theft device attached to the swipe hardware. Wiggling the card might jar the theft device from its hiding place. You should also cover your PIN number as you punch it in at the ATM, just in case there’s a pinhole camera, which can record customers as they enter their PIN.