The U.S. Secret Service and local partners uncovered nine illegal payment-card skimming devices around Pittsburgh during an April 20-21 operation, inspected hundreds of terminals and pumps, and say the sweep prevented roughly $9.4 million in potential consumer losses.
The operation spanned two days and brought together federal, state and local law enforcement working in coordinated teams. Investigators inspected a wide swath of payment infrastructure to find and remove devices meant to steal card and Electronic Benefit Transfer data. Officials framed the effort as both enforcement and education for businesses and the public. The work was concentrated in and around the Pittsburgh area during the April 20-21 operation.
Law enforcement personnel visited 272 locations, examined 883 point-of-sale terminals, 775 gasoline pumps and 170 ATM terminals as part of the sweep. Those numbers show the scale of the check-and-inspect approach used to identify tampering or aftermarket attachments. Finding nine illegal devices during the operation led officials to estimate about $9.4 million in losses were prevented. Teams also distributed educational materials so businesses could recognize suspicious modifications on equipment.
The outreach push paired on-the-ground inspections with business-facing guidance on spotting skimmers and EBT fraud. Investigators emphasized checking card readers for anything loose, crooked or damaged as a basic first step. They also encouraged adoption of secure payment options and awareness of physical signs that a reader has been altered. The goal was to stop theft before it happens by educating retailers and pump operators.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Pyle, of the U.S. Secret Service — Pittsburgh Field Office, explained the bureau’s emphasis on prevention and partnership. “Illegal credit card skimming can have devastating financial ramifications on innocent, law-abiding citizens who are victimized by this insidious fraud. That is why the U.S. Secret Service has devoted significant resources toward combatting this scourge,” he said. He also commended the Federal, state and local partners who joined the outreach effort.
Beyond this single operation, Secret Service-led efforts have removed large numbers of devices over the last year. In 2025, law enforcement personnel removed more than 400 illegal skimming devices during these operations preventing an estimated potential fraud loss of more than $428 million. Criminals often steal EBT and other payment card numbers by installing illegal skimming devices on ATMs, gas pumps and merchant point-of-sale terminals. Scammers use skimming technology to capture card information from EBT cards and encode that data onto another card with a magnetic strip.
Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns framed the initiative as community protection and education. “This collective law enforcement effort is about protecting our community from the unnecessary stress and hardships often caused by these devices,” he said. He added that removing devices and sharing knowledge with businesses helps keep neighborhoods safer and reduces victimization.
This outreach operation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, along with the Allegheny County Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The multiagency presence underscored the cross-jurisdictional nature of skimming investigations and the need to coordinate inspections, evidence collection and public education. Agencies worked together to cover retail locations, fueling stations and ATM sites.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando noted the broader criminal threat posed by skimming and identity theft. “Card skimming is a growing and insidious crime with the potential for far-reaching impacts on victims. Not only do criminals have the ability to gather personal and financial information once a card is skimmed, but they’re also able to use that information to commit more crimes. Pittsburgh Police is grateful to be part of the collaborative law enforcement efforts to find those responsible and hold them accountable,” he said.
The operation in Pittsburgh was consistent with other Secret Service-led outreach sweeps around the country, aimed at preventing fraud tied to large public events and routine commerce. “Law enforcement is well aware that criminals see large-attendance events — like the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh — as opportunities to steal, defraud, and harm people,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “My office, along with our partners, are doing everything in our powers to protect attendees of Draft festivities. This proactive skimmer-detection initiative kept millions of dollars in the pockets of visitors, while also educating businesses on how to detect skimmers and other fraudulent activity.”
Skimming remains an expensive crime for financial institutions and consumers, with annual costs estimated in the billions. It is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year. Because the devices are often small and installed in public-facing machines, vigilance and routine checks matter for prevention.
The agencies offered simple precautions consumers and businesses can follow to reduce risk and spot tampering. Below are practical steps meant to limit exposure and make skimmers easier to detect.
- Inspect ATMs, point-of-sale terminals and other card readers for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched; if a reader looks unusual, do not use it and report it to staff. Whenever possible, use tap-to-pay technology or cards with chip technology to reduce swipe-based vulnerabilities.
- If using a debit card at a gas station, run it as a credit transaction to avoid entering a PIN whenever that option is available; if you must enter a PIN, shield the keypad with your hand to block potential pinhole cameras. Use ATMs located indoors and in well-lit areas when possible, since they are less attractive targets for skimmers.
- Be extra alert in tourist areas and other high-traffic locations that criminals favor for quick theft and resale of stolen data. Report suspicious devices or unusual attachments to on-site management or local law enforcement so they can investigate and remove potential skimmers.
Officials stressed that sustained vigilance by businesses, consumers and law enforcement is key to reducing the damage caused by skimming schemes. Continued outreach, inspections and information sharing were presented as the practical steps needed to keep payment systems safer and reduce avoidable losses.
