We’ve all probably heard to be cautious of credit card skimmers when stepping outside and getting ready to fill the gas tank. Outdoor payment kiosks like gas stations and ATMs are easy targets for criminals who want your credit card information. But grocery and big box stores? It’s not uncommon to find skimmers hiding inside retail shops, reporter Sean McDonnell learned. And they can be almost unnoticeable. How disconcerting is that? I couldn’t spot anything suspicious in a photo that included a skimmer found at a Walmart cash register. Giant Eagle recently discovered skimmers inside five Ohio stores, including locations in Parma, Brooklyn and South Euclid. A vice president with the National Retail Federation and a crimes investigations manager at Walgreens shared tips on how to recognize skimming devices and the payment feature to enable that is the safest way to use your credit and debit cards. — Kristen Davis |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Strong winds possible |
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Card skimmers can be almost unnoticeable and are used to steal payment card information. This 2018 photo shows a variety of tools used to skim information from credit cards. (Associated Press) |
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Card skimmers: The fraudulent card reading devices recently found at Giant Eagle stores are still the subject of many unanswered questions, but one thing the devices aren’t is uncommon. Sean McDonnell answers some questions about the card skimmers, how they work and how you can stay safe when paying at the store. Cleveland revitalization plan: A massive financing plan that Mayor Justin Bibb wants to use to revitalize downtown Cleveland was slated for introduction Monday night at City Council’s first meeting of the year. Early estimates put forth by Bibb’s administration project the TIF district could generate $3.3 billion to $7.5 billion over 42 years, Courtney Astolfi reports. Matt Borges: A FirstEnergy lobbyist has asked an appeals court to reverse his five-year sentence. Matt Borges is seeking to terminate the ruling, arguing that the judge presiding over a trial related to the corrupt passing of House Bill 6 made a series of errors in decisions, reports Jake Zuckerman. Today in Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine signed an emergency order last week banning minors with gender dysphoria from receiving gender-affirming surgeries. That restriction comes on the heels of DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68, which sought to ban minors from having any gender-affirming care at all. On Today in Ohio, we’re talking about how DeWine’s latest order comports with his explanation of his veto. |
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Senate race: Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno on Monday added U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan to the list of politicians who have endorsed him. Sabrina Eaton reports the news comes as the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced a new major investment in Ohio. Candidacy challenged: A second transgender candidate for the Ohio legislature is now in danger of being kept off the ballot for not listing her “deadname” on campaign paperwork, reports Jeremy Pelzer. While the Mercer County Board of Elections certified the candidate’s petitions last month, a protest claims that she violated a little-known 1995 state law requiring candidates for public office in Ohio to list both their current name and any other names they went by in the past five years on their petition sheets. Lawsuit tossed: A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit from left-leaning groups challenging a Republican-backed Ohio law requiring voters to show ID at the polls and altering the state’s early-voting times, among other changes, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Plaintiffs in the case included the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans, and the Union Veterans Council. |
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Flight cancellations: Cancellations continued Monday at Cleveland Hopkins and airports nationwide following a terrifying incident in the air last week. Susan Glaser reports the FAA grounded 171 Boeing Max 9 aircraft as the government and Boeing worked to develop a plan to inspect the planes and resume service. Education in 2024: From teaching a new generation that’s harnessing the latest technology innovations to managing the lingering effects of COVID-19 classroom disruptions, the education landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. Hannah Drown examines what might lies ahead. Bus grants: Euclid’s school district is among 280 school systems in 37 states that will benefit from nearly $1 billion in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants that were announced Monday for electric school bus purchases, Sabrina Eaton reports. Euclid will use the money to pay for 10 electric school buses. |
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Smart mouthguards: Starting this month, all 7,500 professional players in the World Rugby organization will be required to wear mouthguards developed by Prevent Biometrics, a Cleveland Clinic spinoff. Julie Washington reports the new smart units include sensors, a microcomputer and a Bluetooth chip that wirelessly measure the speed and acceleration of each impact and transmit data to medical staff on the sidelines. Office opens: Akron Children’s Hospital has opened a new pediatric primary care office in Mayfield Heights. Gretchen Cuda Kroen reports the new location includes 11 exam rooms, with two rooms reserved for behavioral health or additional needs. |
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East Cleveland: Former East Cleveland Police Chief Scott Gardner has declined a plea deal regarding charges of theft and tax-related offenses tied to his private security businesses while he worked for the beleaguered department. Cory Shaffer reports the trial was initially set to begin Monday on two dozen felony charges and has been rescheduled for March 11. Ghost guns: Federal prosecutors allege that a former Medina gun store owner made and sold short-barreled rifles, including some without serial numbers that are commonly called “ghost guns.” Adam Ferrise reports that Christopher Machamer is accused of making dozens of AR-15-style guns at his home using kits and specialized equipment. Football player killed: A 17-year-old Glenville High School student was shot and killed Friday night, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District confirmed. Te’Vion Cunningham of Euclid was shot about 6:30 p.m. near Seabrooke Avenue and East 222nd Street, Molly Walsh reports. Prison death: The family of an inmate who died at Lake Erie Correctional Institution, a private prison in Conneaut, has sued over the inmate's death. Adam Ferrise reports Kevin Agee died after receiving poor medical care after medical officials at the prison reportedly failed to treat his diabetes and an infection. Sexual assault charges: A Rocky River man is being held in jail on a $500,000 bond after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old child at an in-home daycare center in Parma Heights, Cliff Pinckard reports. Fatal crash: A man and a woman died in a two-vehicle crash Monday on Interstate 490 in Cleveland, reports Olivia Mitchell. The man, James Wells, 45, of Elyria, was driving one of the cars while the other victim, Shalon Barnett, 37, of Cleveland, was a passenger in the other car. Shooting victim: A 20-year-old man has died after being shot several times at a Pizza Hut in Garfield Heights last week. Molly Walsh reports an 18 year-old male from Garfield Heights was taken into custody several blocks from the incident. |
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New restaurants: While a number of restaurants closed throughout 2023, there’s something to look forward to in 2024. Alex Darus highlights 14 new restaurants that are expected to open this year throughout Greater Cleveland, including some returning favorites, new places moving into popular digs and much more. Name change: The Cleveland Improv has been rebranded as Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant. Joey Morona reports the change is the result of an expiring licensing deal between Funny Bone and the Improv chain of comedy clubs. |
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Driver tries to flee with Maple Heights officer inside vehicle, police say Read more ‘A difficult week:’ Cleveland Heights mayor issues call for unity, commitment after two homicides Read more South Euclid seeks to limit locations of restaurants with drive-thrus, dollar stores Read more Medina council hires architect for 1969 courthouse remodeling project Read more Jeffrey Leikin elected president of Orange school board Read more Rocky River hires new planning and community development director Read more Berea mayor, City Council sworn in for new term Read more North Ridgeville council begins 2024 with key appointments and committee assignments Read more Akron Zoo’s beloved red panda, Penny, dies Read more Parma City School District mourns death of John Muir Elementary student Read more |
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