Full Breakdown
Secret Service Conducts Portland Outreach to Combat Card-Skimming Fraud
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Portland Skimming Device Outreach Operation
The U.S. Secret Service, together with the Portland Police Bureau, spent two days touring the Portland area to inspect point-of-sale terminals, ATMs and gas-pump card readers for illegal skimming devices. Agents visited 238 businesses that accept SNAP benefits, checking 377 terminals, 156 ATMs and 375 pumps. No skimmers were discovered, but officials emphasized the educational component of the effort.
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Context: Card Skimming and SNAP Fraud
Skimming devices are covert overlays that capture magnetic-stripe data or PIN entries from payment cards. In Oregon, more than $3 million in SNAP benefits have been stolen in the past two years, a problem amplified by the state’s use of magnetic-stripe cards rather than chip-enabled cards. Criminal groups target EBT and SNAP cards because the stolen data can be quickly converted to cash or sold on the dark web.
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Data & Statistics (including conflicting reports)
- Businesses inspected: 238 (Secret Service)
- Terminals, ATMs, pumps checked: 377, 156, and 375 respectively (Secret Service)
- Skimmers found: none (Secret Service)
- Nationwide removal totals: one Secret Service statement reports “more than 700” skimmers removed since the financial-crimes mission began in 2024, while another statement cites “more than 400” devices removed since 2024, indicating a discrepancy in reported totals.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Michael Peck, assistant special agent in charge, described the scheme as an “epidemic” and stressed that the operation was outreach, not enforcement. He urged merchants to look for glue, tape, or shifted security stickers on terminals and recommended tap-to-pay or chip use when possible. Marci Rand, the agency’s public-affairs specialist, said the operation was a success because of the large number of business owners educated. Oregon Department of Human Services spokesperson Sara Campos noted that the state plans a pilot of chipped EBT cards for 1,000 users in December, with statewide rollout slated for early 2027.
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Verbatim Quotes
- “When they actually fit over the existing terminal or ATM or gas pump, they’re much harder to see,” — Michael Peck
- “You’re looking for the glue. You’re looking for the tape,” — Peck. He al
- “They're looking for EBT and SNAP recipient card numbers because to them that means cash,” — Michael Peck
- “While no skimmers were found, we still consider this operation a success because of the large number of business owners/managers we were able to educate through our outreach,” — Marci Rand, public affairs specialist for the U
- “Sadly, we are facing an epidemic across our country and in our partner countries to where transactional organized crime groups are coming in specifically to steal from benefit recipients,” — Michael Peck