In a joint task force with the Secret Service and NYPD, officials are cracking down on credit card skimming operations ahead of major summer events, including the World Cup. The coordinated effort reflects a broader surge in these scams, which have become a critical threat to consumers traveling and shopping during peak season.
Card skimming surged 90% in 2025, with attacks rising from more than 231,000 in 2024 to over 243,000 last year, according to FICO’s 2025 year-in-review report. The numbers underscore why law enforcement is intensifying enforcement now, as summer travel and events create ideal conditions for these crimes.
Skimming works when criminals install hidden electronic devices on ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals at stores, or fuel pumps to capture card data as customers swipe or insert their cards. According to the Secret Service, these devices record cardholder information and sometimes record PINs through hidden cameras or overlay keypads, allowing thieves to create counterfeit cards or make unauthorized transactions. The process is quick and difficult to detect—criminals can install a skimmer in seconds and remove it just as fast.
Summer is a peak season for these crimes because increased travel and event attendance mean more card transactions at unfamiliar merchants and ATMs. Chelsea Groton Bank noted in July 2026 that several types of fraud experience noticeable spikes during summer months, especially those tied to travel, events, and online transactions. Tourist areas and high-traffic venues are common targets for skimmers.
The Secret Service’s enforcement has intensified throughout 2026. In February, the agency kicked off its 2026 EBT Fraud and ATM Skimming Outreach operations. A May operation in Houston’s Harris County recovered 14 illegal skimming devices that could have led to an estimated $14.5 million in consumer losses. A June operation in New York’s field office also netted 35 skimming devices. Across all 2025 operations, law enforcement removed more than 400 illegal skimming devices, preventing an estimated potential loss of $428.1 million.
The scope of the Secret Service’s broader Operation Flagship 4.0 is striking. The operation examined 3,935 point-of-sale terminals and has targeted vulnerable populations, including those using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. In 2025, law enforcement visited more than 9,000 businesses nationwide and removed 411 illegal skimming devices.
Consumer concern is rising. According to Gitnux’s May 2026 report, 35% of consumers reported fraud tied to their bank or payment card within the past year, and three in four people expressed worry about skimming at payment terminals. Experts also warn of emerging threats like “ghost tapping,” a technique that exploits vulnerabilities in contactless payment systems.
Sources
- NBC News — Joint Secret Service and NYPD task force cracking down on skimming operations ahead of summer events; expert warnings on ghost tapping
- FICO — Card skimming attacks surged 90% in 2025, rising from 231,000+ to 243,000+ incidents
- Gitnux — Consumer fraud statistics; 35% reported fraud on payment cards; 3 in 4 worried about skimming
- Chelsea Groton Bank — Fraud spikes during summer months tied to travel, events, and transactions
- United States Secret Service — Operation Flagship 4.0 scope; 2025 device removals and fraud prevention figures; Houston and New York field office operations
- FBI — Definition and mechanics of skimming on ATMs, POS terminals, and fuel pumps
