skimming

[skim-ing]

noun

1. Usually skimmings. floating matter that is removed from the surface of a liquid.

2. Metallurgy.,  skimmings, dross.

3. Slang.,  the practice of concealing gambling or other profits so as to avoid paying taxes, commissions, etc..

   An audit of their cleaning business uncovered several years of skimming.

4. the practice of electronically appropriating account numbers or other confidential data for illegal use.

   A chip is embedded in the credit card to prevent skimming.

Word History and Origins

Origin of skimming¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English skemmyng; skim, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The world stone skimming championships have been rocked by a cheating scandal, after several competitors were disqualified for tampering.

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"While you walk off to try another machine, the skimming device has already stolen your card details," Stapleton explains.

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But that is still only skimming the surface.

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According to DOJ officials, Graur would steal EBT card information by attaching “sophisticated skimming devices” to ATMs and other sales machines across Los Angeles and the Inland Empire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sure, those are private matters, but skimming the surface like this only serves to bolster an image of an actor reformed.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bribery 
• crime 
• exploitation 
• extortion 
• fraud 
• graft 
• malfeasance 
• nepotism