The U.S. Secret Service, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently conducted a payment card skimming outreach operation in the Los Angeles area.

During the joint operation in August, personnel visited 328 businesses and removed 17 skimming devices. More than 1,700 point-of sale terminals, gas pumps and ATMs were inspected during the operation.

Law enforcement teams also distributed educational materials about Electronic Benefit Transfer fraud and payment card skimming to businesses to help better identify illegal skimming devices installed by criminals.

“This operation demonstrates the U.S. Secret Service’s commitment to safeguarding businesses and consumers from the growing threat of payment card skimming and EBT fraud which can have devastating financial ramifications for innocent, law-abiding citizens,” Special Agent in Charge Armando Marquez, of the Los Angeles Field Office, said.

The operation follows similar Secret Service-led outreach operations that have taken place throughout the country.

Business owners are encouraged to frequently inspect ATMs, point-of-sale terminals and card readers. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged or scratched. For information, call the U.S. Secret Service’s Los Angeles Field Office at (213)894-4830.