Pronunciation: [skˈɪməz] (IPA) 
The word "skimmers" is spelled with the letter combination "sk" at the beginning, followed by the letter "i" pronounced as /ɪ/ and the letter "mm" pronounced as /m/. It is followed by the letter "er" pronounced as /ər/. The IPA phonetic transcription for "skimmers" is /ˈskɪmərz/. This word is used to refer to different types of water birds that have a habit of skimming the surface of water with their beaks to catch insects or fish.
Skimmers refer to devices or tools that are designed and used for illegal purposes related to theft or fraud. One common use of the term skimmers is in the context of banking or financial crimes. A skimmer is a small electronic device that is covertly installed on a legitimate automated teller machine (ATM) or a point-of-sale (POS) system, such as a payment terminal at a gas station or a retail store. The purpose of a skimmer is to extract sensitive financial information from unwitting individuals who use these machines or systems.
Skimmers work by capturing and recording personal data, such as credit card numbers, account information, and PIN codes, while individuals perform their transactions. They are usually seamless attachments to the original machine, making it difficult for users to detect their presence. The stolen information is then used by criminals for fraudulent activities, including identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or selling the data in underground markets.
Due to their covert nature, skimmers can pose a significant threat to individuals' financial security and privacy. It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution and look out for signs of tampering or suspicious attachments on ATMs or payment terminals. Banks and merchants also deploy various countermeasures, such as enhanced security features or regular inspections, in order to mitigate the risk of skimming incidents.
In a broader sense, the term skimmers can also be used to refer to individuals, usually criminals, who engage in the act of scamming, defrauding, or stealing from others. These individuals typically employ deceptive tactics or schemes to unlawfully obtain money, goods, or personal information from unsuspecting victims.
The word "skimmers" has a relatively straightforward etymology. It is derived from the verb "skim", which can be traced back to the Middle English word "skimen". "Skimen" comes from the Old French word "escumer", which means "remove scum" or "skim". The Old French term is derived from the Late Latin word "exquimare", combining the prefix "ex-" (meaning "out") and "quimare" (meaning "remove scum"). Ultimately, "skimmers" originated from the action of removing the scum from the surface of a liquid.
