Ventura Senior Volunteers Fight Back Against Skimmer Fraud

When you swipe or insert your credit card at a gas pump, you expect your transaction to be safe and quick. But across the country, organized criminals are quietly installing hidden skimming devices inside fuel pumps, ATMs, and unattended point-of-sale terminals to steal customers’ payment data — often without leaving a trace.

Recognizing this growing threat, the Ventura Police Department in California has launched a forward-thinking program empowering its Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) to conduct proactive scans for illegal skimming devices. Using specialized handheld technology — the Skim Scan, designed and built by Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS) — these trained volunteers will inspect gas pumps throughout Ventura to help stop fraud before it strikes.

Empowering Community Volunteers with High-Tech Tools

As announced in the department’s recent news release, Ventura Police Chief David Dickey praised the effort:

“Our volunteers play an essential role in helping us extend our presence in the community. By adding Skim Scan inspections to their duties, we’re increasing our ability to stop fraud before it happens and protect residents at places they visit every day.”

The Skim Scan is a rugged, handheld device that detects hidden skimmers — tiny data-stealing circuits inserted into credit card readers. A scan takes just seconds. The user simply inserts the Skim Scan into a card slot like a normal credit card. A green light signals a clean reader; a red light alert means a possible skimmer is present.

By deploying Skim Scans in the hands of trained volunteers, Ventura Police are effectively multiplying their reach. Instead of waiting for reports of fraud or tampering, they are actively sweeping the city’s fuel pumps, ATMs, and parking meters, looking for potential threats in real time. Any suspicious devices found are immediately turned over to officers for removal and forensic analysis.

A Nationwide Problem with Local Impact

Credit card skimming isn’t limited to large urban centers. In fact, smaller communities often face higher risks because criminals know that older pumps or unattended kiosks may not be inspected regularly. According to the U.S. Secret Service, hundreds of skimming devices are discovered nationwide each year — and that’s only the ones caught.

Each skimmer can capture hundreds or even thousands of card numbers before it’s found, often linking to larger criminal networks that sell the stolen data online or use it for counterfeit purchases. According to Mark Switzer, Special Agent in charge at USSS Memphis Field Office, every skimmer recovered is about a million dollars worth of fraud that they have prevented.

That’s why programs like Ventura’s matter. They combine law enforcement, technology, and community vigilance into one coordinated defense. By training volunteers to use advanced detection tools such as Skim Scan, police departments can stretch their resources further and build public trust through visible prevention efforts.

Built for Law Enforcement and Financial Security Teams

The Skim Scan, developed by Berkeley Varitronics Systems, has become a trusted tool for law enforcement, financial institutions, and retail security teams across the United States. Unlike improvised or software-based methods, Skim Scan performs a direct, physical scan for unauthorized hardware hidden inside payment terminals.

Agencies from coast to coast now rely on Skim Scan to secure their communities from fraud at the pump and beyond. Programs like Ventura’s represent how proactive partnerships between technology innovators and local departments can deliver measurable results in the fight against cybercrime.

Practical Tips for Consumers

Even as police and volunteers step up inspections, individuals can also take steps to protect themselves. Simple precautions make a big difference:

• Choose pumps closest to the storefront — criminals avoid high-visibility spots.
• Avoid loose or damaged card slots that look pried open or misaligned.
• Use tap-to-pay or mobile wallet options whenever possible — these avoid contact with compromised readers.
• Monitor your bank accounts regularly for suspicious transactions.

If you suspect a compromised machine, report it immediately to the business and your local police.

Extending the Mission: Educating the Public

At Berkeley Varitronics Systems, our mission extends beyond creating technology — it’s about education and prevention. We’ve seen firsthand how quickly criminals adapt, moving from physical skimmers to Bluetooth-enabled and even network-based attacks. That’s why we also invest in public education, including publishing books and podcasts that help everyday users stay secure.

Our latest title, Senior Cyber: Best Practices for Staying Safe Online, is dedicated to helping older adults recognize scams, protect personal data, and stay confident using today’s connected technology. Seniors are often prime targets for fraudsters — from phone scams to ATM skimming — so understanding how these crimes work is the first line of defense.

Combining awareness with action is the future of community cybersecurity. Whether it’s seniors learning how to spot scams or volunteers scanning gas pumps with Skim Scan devices, the goal is the same: empower people to protect themselves and their communities.

A Model for Other Cities

Ventura’s initiative sets an example for other departments nationwide. With minimal investment, police agencies can launch similar volunteer-driven inspection programs, supported by reliable technology like the Skim Scan. The result is more secure neighborhoods, better informed citizens, and fewer victims of electronic theft.

As Chief Dickey put it, the effort is about “protecting residents at places they visit every day.”

In an age where financial crime is increasingly digital, simple community partnerships backed by cutting-edge detection tools show that the best defense against skimmer fraud is a proactive, informed, and connected community.