Self-checkout warning after secret device that steals all shoppers’ information is found in major chain’s stores

A DEVICE allegedly capable of stealing personal information was detected at a major grocery store chain.

Customers were warned to check their bank accounts after “skimmer” gadgets were found at two Weis Markets locations.

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The Pennsylvania-based chain, with 197 locations, discovered these devices at checkouts in two of their locations.

These locations were both in Maryland at 1080 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, and 7848 Wise Avenue, Dundalk, according to Winsight Grocery Business.

These stores are only around 15 miles from one another but the two incidents have not been connected.

The skimmers were found on November 1 and the store said that it “promptly began an internal investigation.”

Weis Markets also said that it notified law enforcement and the payment processing company about the discovery.

The company revealed that they had not found any evidence of an “unknown third party” placing the skimmers in stores.

Weis Markets warned that some customers who visited the store between October 25 and November 1 could have had their information compromised.

These devices can be dangerous as they are capable of ‘stealing’ information from bank cards, including PINs.

The risk has been increased through the growth of self-checkout use across stores, according to Winsight Grocery Business.

A move from stripe cards, that are swiped at checkouts, to chip-based bank cards has not removed the risk of information theft.

The supermarket chain advised customers to review their accounts and monitor their credit reports to “remain vigilant to protect against potential fraud and/or identity theft.”

It added that customers who were potentially impacted had been notified.

The US Sun has previously reported on the use of skimmer devices at other stores and what red flags people should look out for.

A warning was issued after store management at a Walmart location in Pennsylvania noticed the device.

Something to keep an eye on is whether an issue is flagged when a customer attempts to use the chip on their card at a checkout.

Skimmers block the payment terminal from reading the chip, creating an error message that forces customers to swipe the card instead.

Customers should also alert a member of staff if a part of their card reader moves or is out of place as they attempt to use it.