Secret Service Removes Skimmers From Baltimore Businesses, Prevents Potential $22.9M Loss

By FOX45
Posted on 10/25/25 | News Source: FOX45

Baltimore, MD - Oct. 25, 2025  -The U.S Secret service removed 22 illegal skimming devices from Baltimore businesses this week, officials confirmed Friday.

Secret Service partnered with local law enforcement and state agencies to conduct an Electronic Transfer fraud and payment card skimming outreach operation in Baltimore on October 22 and 23.

Authorities went to 493 businesses - 3,000 point-of-sale terminals, gas pumps, and ATMS- and removed 22 illegal skimming devices, preventing a potential loss of about $22.9 million.

The U.S. Secret Service, and our law enforcement and state agency partners, remain committed to combatting EBT fraud and payment card skimming in Maryland and throughout the country,” said Brian McDonough, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Baltimore Field Office, via press release. “This proactive approach allows us to identify and remove skimming devices that target our nation’s most vulnerable populations. I’m proud of the great work of our personnel and our partners during this operation.

Authorities distributed educational materials about these skimming devices to businesses to help them better identify the warning signs in their point-of-sale terminals, gas pumps, and ATMs.

Additionally, officials provided these precautions consumers can take to protect themselves:

• Inspect ATMs, point-of-sale terminals and other card readers. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Do not use a card reader if anything appears unusual.
• Whenever possible, use tap-to-pay technology or use debit and credit cards with chip technology.
• If using a debit card at a gas station, run it as a credit card to avoid entering a PIN number. If that is not an option, consumers should use their hand to hide their PIN to block scammers who may be using tiny pinhole cameras above the keypad area to record entries. Use ATMs in a well-lit, indoor location, which are less vulnerable targets.
• Be alert for skimming devices in tourist areas, which are popular targets.

This outreach operation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, along with the Annapolis Police Department, Baltimore Police Department, Bel Air Police Department, Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Howard County Police Department.

Personnel from the Maryland Department of Human Services also took part in the operation.