Sheriff Warns Of Card Skimmers At Gas Pumps
May 06, 2020
This photo from the Federal Trade Commission shows special tamper resistant tape now found on many gas pumps. If your gas pump's seal reads "VOID" or anything otherwise looks out of sorts, report the issue to the gas station and use a different pump.
Doug Rader, Stone County Sheriff, has reported credit card skimmers were found at a gas station near Reeds Spring. These skimmers were located inside the gas pumps.
According to Sheriff Rader, these skimmers were only noticed when the gas station noticed an issue with their credit card receipts. The two devices were removed on April 27.
When detectives started investigating, they discovered the card skimming equipment, which steal credit card information when you go to pay for gas at the pump, inside the machine. This contrasts with some other skimmers that are usually on the outside of the machine, where observant customers might notice the problem before inserting their card.
"It turns out there is a master key for all of the gas pumps at Conoco stations. We opened up the machines and found the skimming equipment," Rader said.
"Our detectives are working with agencies in other counties where they have found similar devices," Rader said.
Protecting your card information
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "These card readers grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe without your knowledge. Criminals sell the stolen data or use it to buy things online. You won’t know your information has been stolen until you get your statement or an overdraft notice."
The FTC says to make sure pumps have not been tampered with. "Many stations now put security seals over the cabinet panel. If the pump panel is opened, the label will read 'void,'" an FTC warning from 2018 says.
The FTC also recommends visually looking at the card reader itself to see if it looks different from any others at the location and to see if any piece moves or wiggles.
Unfortunately, for this case in Stone County, only looking for a tamper resistant seal could have tipped off customers.
In December 2019, Visa issued a warning about hackers and other card skimming technology at gas pumps.
According to Sheriff Rader, these skimmers were only noticed when the gas station noticed an issue with their credit card receipts. The two devices were removed on April 27.
When detectives started investigating, they discovered the card skimming equipment, which steal credit card information when you go to pay for gas at the pump, inside the machine. This contrasts with some other skimmers that are usually on the outside of the machine, where observant customers might notice the problem before inserting their card.
"It turns out there is a master key for all of the gas pumps at Conoco stations. We opened up the machines and found the skimming equipment," Rader said.
"Our detectives are working with agencies in other counties where they have found similar devices," Rader said.
Protecting your card information
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "These card readers grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe without your knowledge. Criminals sell the stolen data or use it to buy things online. You won’t know your information has been stolen until you get your statement or an overdraft notice."
The FTC says to make sure pumps have not been tampered with. "Many stations now put security seals over the cabinet panel. If the pump panel is opened, the label will read 'void,'" an FTC warning from 2018 says.
The FTC also recommends visually looking at the card reader itself to see if it looks different from any others at the location and to see if any piece moves or wiggles.
Unfortunately, for this case in Stone County, only looking for a tamper resistant seal could have tipped off customers.
In December 2019, Visa issued a warning about hackers and other card skimming technology at gas pumps.