WOODBRIDGE, VA — Prince William County police say a skimming device was found inside the Global Foods grocery store at 13813 Folger Square in Woodbridge. The warning is aimed at shoppers who may have used credit or debit cards at the store recently.
Authorities said the device was discovered in the store, and the FBI describes skimming tools as illegal electronic devices used to steal card information. Police did not say how long the device may have been in place or whether any customers have reported fraudulent charges tied to it.
What Police Confirmed
County police said they were notified after the device was found at the grocery store. The store location was identified publicly as Global Foods in Woodbridge, and officers urged people who shopped there to review their bank accounts for suspicious activity.
The agency did not release details about who found the device, how it was installed, or whether suspects have been identified. The notice was framed as a consumer warning, not as a broader public safety threat, and no arrests were mentioned.
How Skimming Works
The FBI says a skimming device is an illegal electronic tool used to capture credit and debit card data. These devices are often attached to payment terminals or other card-reading equipment, allowing thieves to collect information without the shopper knowing it at the time.
In this case, police did not say whether the device was attached to a checkout terminal, an ATM, or another payment point. They also did not describe the number of customers who might have been affected, leaving the possible scope of the exposure unclear.
What Shoppers Should Check
People who recently used cards at Global Foods in Woodbridge are the group police singled out in their alert. Prince William County police said they should look closely for transactions they do not recognize and contact their financial institution if they see anything unusual.
Police did not provide a date range for possible exposure, so shoppers may need to review recent statements on their own. Anyone who believes they used a compromised card location can follow up with Prince William County Police or their bank for account-specific guidance and fraud reporting steps.
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