Q1: Yes. The link for MagStripe reader and encoder 1 does exactly that. Can read credit or debit and write it to a new blank card and can also erase data on an existing card. the MSR605 comes with software to do all of this. These machines can clone ANY card with a mag stripe. Gift cards, hotel cards, rewards cards, credit cards, id cards, etc.
Q2: Yes. you can skim a debit card and if you have a pin you can go straight to ATM and get cash. The PIN is NOT provided in the skimmed data. Using skimmed cards at gas stations for example might also require you to type in a zip code associated with the card.
Q3: The only failure in skimming cards is if the machine is broken or card is damaged. Every card with a mag stripe is the exact same and every mag stripe reader can skim any and every type of credit card or any card in general with a mag stripe. If the card has a black strip on back then it can be read. They all use the same technology. The success rate of skimming a card with a black stripe through a Mag Stripe reader is 99%.
Real-life Scenarios and Scam
GIFT CARD SCAM: At Walmart you see stands with Gift cards on them. Let says the criminal takes 10 $50 Walmart gift cards(unactivated). He goes to the bathroom and skims the data off all of them then puts them all back on the shelf. He then will check the card numbers everyday on the website to see if they are activated. When a customer comes in and purchases that gift card, it gets activated and the criminal already has the data and can use it right then and there.
FAST FOOD SCAM: Another popular scam happens at Fast Food Drive-Thrus. The cashier has a skimmer next to the register. When you hand them your credit or debit card through the window, they will swipe the card through the register and then swipe the card a second time through the hidden skimmer. (Happened to me at a Taco Bell lol)
GAS STATION SCAM: There is practically a universal key that opens up any gas station pump. Criminals will open them up as put a device that will record all credit cards that are swiped. Use gas pumps that are close to the door, criminals usually install them on pumps out of site. Also look for a sticker on the pump where the pump door would open, if the sticker was peeled off to open the door it will say VOID VOID VOID across the sticker, that means some one went into the pump.
MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW: Skimming a card with the machine is not only way to get skimmed data. A lot of cards have RFID chips inside
of the even if you do not ask for them. If your card has one you will see a symbol on your card that looks like a signal or wifi symbol with the 3 bars. There a RFID machines that clone this data. Someone can walk around the mall with this RFID handheld device and all they have to do is get less than a foot away from you and it will skim the data from the RFID chip. It can skim it right through your pocket, wallet or purse.
Funny example of what you can do with a skimmer. You can clone you credit card onto a hotel key card. Then go to McDonald"s and use your hotel key card to pay for food.
Prevent RFID skimming: You can buy a special sleeve or wallet to block the RFID signal. But i recommend just having your bank reissue you a new card without it.
Prevent MagStripe skimming: Use cash at drive thru windows or any business that uses your card out of your sight. - Change card numbers every 3 months because most criminals skim your card and sell it to others which means they could be holding onto your information for many months before selling it.
Experienced Skimmers: The best of the best will buy blank Visa or MasterCard gift cards. Then they will clone your card to it and use a embroider to actually punch in the actual name and card number onto the card(most gift cards have numbers that can be wiped off that are not embroided). They will also make a fake ID in case cashier asks for identification.
Hope this helps.