Detecting a skimmer via a vibration sensor

A system, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, configured to perform operations stored in the memory, the operations comprising:
• receiving, from a user equipment (UE), vibration information recorded by a transaction card in response to an execution of a transaction at a point-of-service (POS) terminal of a plurality of POS terminals using the transaction card and transmitted by the transaction card to the UE over a communication link, the vibration information caused by friction between the transaction card and the POS terminal as the transaction card interacts with the POS terminal;
• determining a state of the POS terminal based on the vibration information, the state of the POS terminal comprising whether a skimmer is detected;
• and
• in response to determination of the state of the POS terminal as being compromised, sending to one or more stakeholders of the transaction a warning message containing the state of the POS terminal and POS terminal information.

A user equipment (UE), comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, configured to perform operations stored in the memory, the operations comprising:
• receiving, from a transaction card, vibration information recorded by the transaction card in response to an execution of a transaction using the transaction card at a point-of-service (POS) terminal of a plurality of POS terminals, the vibration information caused by friction between the transaction card and the POS terminal as the transaction card interacts with the POS terminal;
• determining a state of the POS terminal based on the received vibration information, the state of the POS terminal comprising whether a skimmer is detected;
• and
• in response to determination of the state of the POS terminal as being compromised, taking an action that prevents a fraudulent use of the transaction card, wherein the action comprises sending a warning message comprising the state of the POS terminal, and POS terminal information to one or more stakeholders of the transaction.