Organization urges swift action by Gov. Tom Wolf to sign measure into law
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) commends the Pennsylvania Senate for its unanimous approval today of House Bill 1918, legislation that will reduce fraud by criminalizing the use of credit card skimming devices.
The measure, sponsored by state Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill of York County, now heads to Gov.
Tom Wolf for his signature. Specifically, HB 1918 would criminalize the use of a scanning or
skimming device, the use of a re-encoder, and the possession or sale of a skimming device –
along with imposing stiff penalties. Currently, prosecutors can only levy theft charges against
such crimes.
“We strongly urge Gov. Wolf to sign this important piece of legislation that will protect
consumers and benefit thousands of Pennsylvania businesses by creating a strong deterrent for
identity thieves,” PFMA President and CEO Alex Baloga said. “We’d like to thank Rep. PhillipsHill, House and Senate leadership and all those who supported and/or voted in favor of this
critical bill.”
Hard-to-detect credit card skimming devices are used to copy identifying information of credit
cards at gas pumps, cash machines and other common points of payment. Nationwide, credit
card fraud costs retailers $580.5 million in losses and $6.47 billion in prevention costs annually.
The new crime would be graded as a third-degree felony for a first offense and a second or
subsequent offense would be a second-degree felony. If signed into law, Pennsylvania would
join 30 other states with similar laws on the books.
The bill would take effect 60 days following the governor’s signature.
