Skimmers Aren’t Winners
Wisconsin to Become Latest State to Enact Skimming Penalties
Madison… Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly voted to pass Senate Bill 133, legislation introduced by Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) and Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay). The bill would create penalties for the possession, trafficking, and use of credit card skimmers, which have been reported in over two dozen communities across the state.
“This bill will not only provide law enforcement and prosecutors with the necessary tools to go after these criminals, but, more importantly, it will help protect hardworking Wisconsinites from being unknowingly scammed,” stated Summerfield. “Consumers, businesses, and law enforcement have all shown in the past their willingness to work together to combat credit card skimming, and now it is our job to help them in this effort.”
SB 133 would make it a Class I felony to possess a credit card scanner with intent to commit identity theft; a Class H felony to possess a scanner with the intent to transfer the scanner to another, knowing the transferee will use it to commit identity theft; and a Class H felony to use or attempt to use a credit card scanner to commit identity theft (increased to a Class G felony if the person obtains something of value from the use).
SB 133, Rep. Summerfield’s second bill since coming into office, passed the Senate on June 14th with a unanimous, bipartisan vote. It will now head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
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The 67th Assembly District includes portions of Dunn and Chippewa counties.