A sterilizer for point-of-sale credit card readers and keypads. One or more UV-C LEDs are integrated into the housing of the unit and directed at the keypad or other surface. The LED lights shine on the keypad or other contact surfaces, such as a stylus. Because LEDs use low DC voltage, the electronics may be powered by the keypad device power supply. The electronic circuits may be designed so that the LEDs are automatically turned on after each transaction is complete for a predetermined amount of time to kill the vast majority of pathogens that could be transmitted from person to person. The LEDs may be arranged on both the left and right side of the keypad, and at the top edge of the keypad to illuminate all exposed surfaces of the keys.