Verifone Wins Patent for Software-Only Skimmer Detection That Turns Payment Terminals Into Their Own Security Sensors
Verifone Wins Patent for Software-Only Skimmer Detection That Turns Payment Terminals Into Their Own Security Sensors #
Verifone has been granted a U.S. patent for a security method that enables payment terminals to monitor themselves continuously for physical tampering, including concealed card-skimming devices invisible to the naked eye, without additional hardware.
The technology, called Wireless Tamper Detection and covered by U.S. Patent No. 12,664,553, was announced July 23, 2026. The software-based system analyzes changes in a terminal’s existing radio signal environment to detect when foreign objects, such as deep-insert skimmers, have been attached to or inserted inside a device. Because most modern payment terminals already have built-in radio capability, the solution can be deployed as a software update, eliminating the cost and complexity of hardware retrofits.
The patent targets unattended payment settings, including fuel pumps, self-checkout kiosks, and outdoor vending terminals, where high transaction volumes occur without nearby staff to spot tampering. Criminals frequently target such locations by discreetly attaching skimming equipment that copies card data during otherwise legitimate purchases.
“Instead of asking a terminal to detect a specific type of attack, we asked it to autonomously recognize when its own physical environment has changed in a suspect or unnatural way,” said Will Morgan, Verifone’s Chief Information Security Officer, in the company’s announcement.
The patent comes as card skimming fraud has risen sharply. FICO data shows skimming attacks in the United States surged 90% in 2025. A separate nationwide operation by the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners removed 411 illegal skimming devices across more than 9,000 businesses, preventing an estimated $428 million in potential losses.
Alongside the patent, Verifone is urging merchants to keep terminal software current, noting that sophisticated attackers often combine physical tampering with software-layer exploits. The company plans to launch a “Verify Your Verifone Security” awareness campaign during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October to help businesses of all sizes audit their terminal protection.
Verifone holds roughly a 30% share of the U.S. retail point-of-sale terminal market. The company said the patent adds to its global intellectual property portfolio in physical device security.
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