U.S. Secret Service Busts Dozens of Illegal Skimmers, Blocks Millions in EBT Fraud
The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) announced the results of its first large operation of 2026 targeting financial fraud known as skimming.
Skimming is when criminals attach devices to ATMs, gas pumps, and other pay points, allowing them to swipe card information from Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that are used for food stamps and other assistance programs.
Secret Service personnel targeted scammers in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Seattle, and Denver, with dozens of illegal skimming devices removed.
“This operation was an interagency win. The U.S. Secret Service, and our law enforcement and interagency partners, will not stand by idly while fraudsters prey on vulnerable communities using illegal card skimmers to commit EBT fraud,” said U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn. “This effort demonstrates why a proactive approach to cyber-enabled financial fraud is necessary.”
Operation Details
In the most recent operation, personnel from USSS, the USDA Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and state and local law enforcement visited hundreds of businesses in the target cities.
Cleveland: 247 businesses visited, 6 skimmers removed, $6 million in prevented fraud
Cincinnati: 255 businesses visited, no skimming devices found
Seattle: 532 businesses visited, 14 skimmers removed, $14.5 million in prevented fraud
Denver: 362 businesses visited, 19 skimmers removed, $20 million in prevented fraud.
USSS says criminals strike without businesses or victims knowing.
“In 99.9% of these cases, the businesses are shocked; they are not expecting this,” said USSS Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Peck. “A lot of businesses do due diligence to check for these. But the groups that we’re up against are good, and they know how to social engineer. They know how to use whatever means necessary to go and install.”