Waldorf, MD – A card skimming device was discovered at a 7-Eleven in Waldorf, prompting an active investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
The device, found on Sunday at the convenience store on St. Ignatius Drive, was designed to mimic a standard point-of-sale terminal keypad. It was an overlay skimmer — a device placed over a legitimate card reader to covertly capture credit and debit card information from unsuspecting customers during transactions.
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, officers recovered the fraudulent equipment during a routine check after a customer reported something unusual about the card reader. The skimmer closely replicated the original keypad in both size and shape, allowing it to evade easy detection.
Authorities are urging anyone who used their card at this 7-Eleven location recently to review their bank and credit card statements for unauthorized activity. The sheriff’s office has also provided guidance on how to protect yourself from skimming attempts:
✅ Always inspect card readers and keypads before using them. If they feel loose, appear bulky, or look suspicious, alert store staff and avoid the transaction.
✅ Monitor financial accounts regularly for unfamiliar charges.
✅ Report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
Officials emphasized that taking a moment to examine the payment terminal could help prevent personal and financial data theft. No arrests have been made at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
