PITTSBURGH, PA — Federal and local law enforcement found nine illegal devices and prevented an estimated $9.4 million in consumer losses during a two-day operation targeting illegal payment card skimming and Electronic Benefit Transfer fraud in the Pittsburgh area.
The U.S. Secret Service, along with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, conducted the operation April 20-21.
Law enforcement personnel visited 272 locations in and around Pittsburgh during the operation.
Investigators examined 883 point-of-sale terminals, 775 gasoline pumps and 170 ATM terminals.
Teams also handed out educational materials about Electronic Benefit Transfer fraud and credit card skimming to help businesses identify illegal skimming devices in their point-of-sale terminals, gas pumps and ATMs.
The operation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, along with the Allegheny County Police Department, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Office of State Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
“Illegal credit card skimming can have devastating financial ramifications on innocent, law-abiding citizens who are victimized by this insidious fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Pyle, of the U.S. Secret Service — Pittsburgh Field Office.
“This collective law enforcement effort is about protecting our community from the unnecessary stress and hardships often caused by these devices,” Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando said card skimming is a growing crime with the potential for far-reaching impacts on victims.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said criminals see large-attendance events as opportunities to steal and defraud people.
The effort mirrors similar Secret Service-led outreach operations that have been done throughout the country.
In 2025, law enforcement personnel removed more than 400 illegal skimming devices during these operations preventing an estimated potential fraud loss of more than $428 million.
Criminals often steal EBT and other payment card numbers by installing illegal skimming devices on ATMs, gas pumps and merchant point-of-sale terminals.
It is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year.
