Skim Reaper: Ormond Beach Police Using UF Device to Combat Identity Theft

The Ormond Beach Police Department in Florida is combating identity theft one swipe at a time. The police department launched Operation Counterswipe and used their newest device, the “Skim Reaper.”

“It simulates a debit or credit card. You insert it, then it would read how many times it had been read,” said Detective Sgt. Tom Larsen. “The red light on the device alerts that the card was read twice, indicating there is a skimmer. The blue light means there isn’t one.”

Patrick Traynor, a professor in Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the University of Florida created the device along with two graduate students. Traynor said the device has been successful after they let NYPD test their tool.

“We’re deployed across 21 different states across the U.S with partners in retail, law enforcement and the financial industries,” said Traynor. “We love the fact that we were able to take research out of the lab and commercialize it and bring it to help protect consumers.”

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