Wisconsin lawmakers propose card skimmer crackdown

MADISON — Two Republican legislators have introduced a bill that would criminalize using credit card skimmers to steal people's identities.

A credit card skimmer is an electronic device that can be attached to a card reader on a gas pump or ATM to secretly collect credit card information.

Sen. Robert Cowles and Rep. Rob Summerfield introduced a bill that would make possessing a skimmer with intent to commit identity theft punishable by up to 42 months in prison. Possessing a skimmer with intent to give it to someone for identity theft and attempting to use a skimmer for identity theft would both be punishable by up to six years in prison.

Gaining something of value through a skimmer would be punishable by up to 10 years in prison.