(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is warning the community of a rising trend in credit card skimmers being installed at grocery stores, large retailers, and restaurants. According to CSPD, criminals hoping to steal credit card information will typically place credit card skimmer devices at gas stations. However, over the last several months, CSPD said it has seen a rise in cases of skimmers being installed at retail establishments and at restaurants where customers pay directly using a card reader. CSPD said criminals use these small, discreet devices, often placed over legitimate card readers, to capture a consumer’s card information when they swipe or insert it. Once they retrieve the stolen data, criminals can quickly drain bank accounts or use credit card information for fraudulent purchases. These skimmers can be installed in seconds without the retailer even knowing they have been installed, and they are often difficult to spot to the untrained eye, meaning anyone could fall victim to this crime. CSPD shared security camera footage of one of these skimmers being installed at a large retail store, to demonstrate just how quickly and covertly criminals can start illegally collecting unsuspecting victims' credit card information. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department CSPD reminds consumers to stay vigilant whenever using a credit or debit card. Here are a few tips from police on how to protect your financial information: Always inspect card readers for any unusual attachments or signs of tampering, particularly at self-checkout kiosks, gas pumps, and ATMs. If anything looks off, report it immediately to store personnel and/or the authorities. Consider using contactless payment methods, like mobile wallets or tap-to-pay cards, which remove the need to physically swipe or insert your card into a potentially compromised device. If you see a hole drilled next to the Tap to Pay logo, that function has been disabled by scammers to force you to insert your card in the reader. Report the tampering to the business and law enforcement. Monitor financial statements regularly for any unauthorized transactions. Even small, unfamiliar charges could be a sign that credit card information has been compromised. If any suspicious activity is spotted, you should contact your bank or credit card provider right away to freeze your card and dispute the charges.