Summer is finally here!  The time for carefree family road trips and wonderful, relaxing vacations.  

But, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Alberta and East Kootenay believes it can also be a time when card skimming scammers can steal your personal information with their technical wizardry.

In 2016, card skimming scams cost Canadians $1.5 million, according to the BBB's Leah Brownridge who says the card skimmers are usually put on ATM's and gas station pumps.  

"Scammers will install them right over top of the usual card reading device and they look very similar to the equipment that's already there.  When you go to insert your card your information has been swiped or recorded on that device and when the scammer removes that device they have hundreds and hundreds of people's personal information on their debit and credit cards.  That can lead to identity theft problems or draining your entire bank account."

Brownridge says police in Calgary have issued warnings about a rise in card skimming activity in both 2015 and 2016.  She says only using familiar gas pumps and ATM's is one way to avoid scams.  Brownridge has some other advice.  

"Make sure you are protecting your PIN number when entering it in, covering the key pad, making sure no one's looking over your shoulder.  But, most importantly, monitor your statements regularly, even if you don't think there'd be anything out of place.  You just want to take a couple of minutes to look through charges on your statements and if you do spot something that doesn't seem right notify your bank right away and they can take action to freeze your account while they figure out what's going on."

Brownridge also says to check your credit report through TransUnion or Equifax at least once a year.  "Make sure you're checking for any suspicious activity there as well because you really don't want your credit rating to be hurt.  Report anything as soon as you can if you do see it."

For more tips on preventing card skimming from happening to you, visit bbb.org.  If you suspect your card has been skimmed visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre here. 

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