By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Mercer County announced that the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Task Force was recently alerted to a viral video circulating on social media showing two overlay skimmer devices found at the 7-Eleven store located at 559 Lalor Street, near the Trenton/Hamilton border.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey stated that Monday morning, the Cyber Crimes Task Force recovered the skimmer devices and forwarded them to our partners at the United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force laboratory for forensic analysis.
If you used a credit or debit card at this 7-Eleven location, we strongly recommend that you monitor your bank or credit card statements closely and contact your financial institution immediately for further guidance if there are transactions you don’t recognize, MCPO officials said.
According to Mercer County officials, here are some helpful Tips:
• Inspect ATMs, POS terminals, and other card readers before use. Look for anything that appears loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Do not use any card reader if you notice anything unusual.
• Before entering your PIN, tug gently on the edges of the keypad. Additionally, cover the keypad as much as possible while entering your PIN to shield it from potential cameras. Remember that pinhole cameras could be hidden nearby.
• Stay particularly vigilant for skimming devices in tourist areas, as they are common targets for criminals.
• Avoid using your debit card when you have linked accounts, as a compromised debit card could expose all of your accounts. Opt for a credit card instead.
• Regularly monitor your credit card, bank, and EBT or benefits accounts to spot any unauthorized transactions quickly. If possible, set up email or text message alerts to keep you informed of any activity on your accounts.
• Take the time to review the security features available for your payment cards, such as multi-factor authentication or the ability to freeze your account between transactions.
While these measures may seem inconvenient, they can significantly reduce the risk of financial loss, MCPO authorities say. 
If you suspect that your debit or credit card information has been compromised at this 7-Eleven location, please contact Sergeant Edward Hughes with the Mercer County Cyber Crimes Task Force at cybercrimes@mercercounty.org.