It's just one trick criminals use to illegally obtain credit card information. But skimming is the latest scam in ID theft, and it's headed our way. Skimming involves swiping a victim's card on the criminal's personal device. The theft can occur in a variety of ways. The device might be clipped onto the perpetrator's belt, or it might be attached to the legitimate card reader at the cash register. Police recommend using a credit card, then you're liable only for the first $50. If you use a debit card, the criminal can clean out your personal account. Police say restaurants are typically where these criminals operate, since they can take your card out of your sight for several minutes. Police say skimming is not prevalent in Syracuse yet. However, one such scam did exist several years ago at Hana's Restaurant and Market on Erie boulevard. The owner did time in federal prison.