Verifone Wins U.S. Patent for Self-Monitoring Payment Terminals

Unattended payment terminals at gas pumps, self-checkout lanes and outdoor kiosks process millions of transactions without staff nearby, leaving them exposed to hidden card skimmers. Verifone said skimming costs U.S. consumers and financial institutions about $1 billion annually, while FICO data showed incidents increased 5% in 2025 from the previous year. The threat has become harder to counter as some skimmers can fit inside a card slot without visibly altering a terminal.

Verifone said on July 23, 2026, that it had secured U.S. Patent No. 12,664,553 for Wireless Tamper Detection. The technology continuously monitors changes in a terminal’s radio-signal environment, allowing it to flag physical interference and skimmers that users cannot see. Because many modern terminals already contain radio capabilities, Verifone said the protection can be deployed through software without adding hardware or replacing devices. The company also plans to launch its annual “Verify Your Verifone Security” merchant campaign during Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.