Dollar General® Shoppers Urged to Check Bank Accounts as Skimmers Found

If you’ve shopped at Dollar General^® recently, especially in Iowa or South Dakota, you may want to review your bank statements - fast. Credit card skimming devices, small machines designed to steal your card data, have been found at multiple stores. Law enforcement officials say the number of victims is likely to grow, and shoppers are being urged to act quickly.

What Happened?

Authorities in Iowa said store employees at the Dollar General in George discovered a suspicious device attached to a card reader on May 11. Just 20 minutes later, staff at the Dollar General in Rock Rapids - located about 15 minutes away - reported a similar device to local police.

These skimming devices are designed to capture card details during normal transactions. Once installed, they silently collect debit or credit card data from unsuspecting customers. Officials with the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed both devices were retrieved and sent for further testing to determine whether they could transmit stolen information remotely.

As of now, the total number of people affected remains unknown. But police warned that the full scope may not be realized for some time.

The Suspected Crime

This isn’t an isolated event. In late April, a skimming device was also discovered at a Dollar General in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The store manager didn’t know how long the device had been active. A local police sergeant stated that if it had been there for an extended period, “there may be a lot of victims,” as reported by the U.S. Sun.

Investigators believe these incidents may be part of a broader scheme targeting rural discount stores, and they are currently reviewing surveillance footage to determine who placed the devices and how long they were operational.

The Larchwood Dollar General - also located in Lyon County - was checked but no device was found at that location.

Could You Be a Victim?

According to authorities, anyone who used a card at the George or Rock Rapids locations in early May should carefully monitor their bank statements. Officials warn that even small unauthorized charges could be early signs of fraud.

In Sioux Falls, police noted that stolen card information might be stored and used later, long after a customer has left the store - which makes early detection especially important.

How to Spot a Skimmer

Card skimmers are typically designed to blend in with regular payment terminals, but there are clues to look for. The Albany County Sheriff’s Office shared several warning signs:

• The card reader appears bulkier or has unusually wide borders.
• The keys feel sticky, thick, or spongey.
• The lighting for the keypad is dim or absent.
• The reader feels loose or like it could be removed easily.
• There is a large gap between the bottom row of keys and the reader’s base.

If something looks or feels off - don’t swipe. Report it immediately.

A Growing Threat

This problem isn’t limited to Dollar General. Card skimmers were recently uncovered at a CVS^® pharmacy in Ohio and several convenience stores in Wyoming. Even Walmart^® has seen similar incidents involving razor-thin, nearly invisible devices.

Jessie Schmidt, vice president of South Dakota’s Better Business Bureau, noted that these devices are inexpensive and widely available online saying, “You can buy a credit card skimmer … for less than $100.”

What’s Next?

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office expects results from the forensic analysis of the skimming devices soon and plans to release further updates when available. Until then, authorities recommend using credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection and setting up bank alerts for unusual activity.

The best defense is vigilance. If you shopped at a Dollar General in northwest Iowa recently, especially in George or Rock Rapids, don’t assume you’re in the clear - double-check your transactions. When it comes to identity theft, the sooner you act, the better.

References: HACK WARNING Dollar General shoppers urged to check bank accounts as ‘unsettling’ info-stealing devices found – victim list will grow | UPDATE: More Info Released Re: Credit Card Skimmers Found At Two Lyon County Dollar General Stores