GREATER ALEXANDRIA, VA — A credit card skimmer was found on a cash register's card reader at the Alexandria-area Walmart on Tuesday, according to Fairfax County Police.

An employee found the skimmer Tuesday afternoon and immediately notified the loss prevention department, who contacted police. The Walmart is located in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway. The device was confiscated as evidence and the investigation continues, according to police.

Card skimmers can be placed on credit card readers in a matter of seconds and are difficult to recognize for customers and store employees. This spring, Fredericksburg City Police alerted residents when a "large number" of debit and credit card users at the Central Park Walmart had their card information stolen, with dozens of reports of fraudulent cash withdrawls.



Walmart Global confirmed the hack, believed to be due to suspects obtaining the card information by placing overlay devices on credit card readers at checkout counters at the Walmart location in March and April. One Fredericksburg area credit union reported 37 customers were victims of large cash withdrawls at ATMs using fraudulent debit cards that originated from the Walmart scam. Similar cases were reported from other financial institutions.