Don't get scammed with credit card skimmers: How to avoid theft at gas stations

It's a ritual most motorists go through at least once a week.

Your fuel gauge reads low, you pull into a gasoline station and fill your tank. And if you are like many drivers, you pull out a credit card to complete the transaction.

It's more convenient in most instances than paying cash, but swiping that card at the pump also comes with risks.

A few years ago, motorists in Broome County and other New York locations were targeted by scammers who surreptitiously installed credit card "skimmers" on gas pump card readers at various businesses, enabling them to steal credit card information.

Several people were indicted in that scam, and now the issue has resurfaced after a card skimming device was found on a gas pump in Chemung County.

It's part of an ongoing cycle, said Jeff Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores.

"It is a problem across the country. Criminal groups go to different areas," Lenard said. "They work an area until it is no longer profitable and move on."

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Tracking credit card skimmers and scammers

Credit card skimming is a big moneymaker for scammers, and while law enforcement officials have many tools to track those criminals, they also urge businesses and consumers to be more aware of potential threats.

“According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year,” said acting New York State Police Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli.

Between 2016 and 2018, skimming devices were built and installed inside pumps to snatch up credit and debit card information from nearly 4,000 cards in Broome, Albany and Montgomery counties, according to prosecutors.

In 2019, seven people were indicted in connection with that scam.

The latest incident involves a skimming device found in early January on a gas pump at the College Avenue Speedway in the Village of Elmira Heights.

Village Police Chief Rick Churches said he was familiar with those devices because he was involved in the earlier investigation into the group that targeted Broome County cardholders.

"The crudeness of this device does not lead us to believe it was one of these types of groups, but not 100% certain on that," Churches said. "We made regional law enforcement intelligence aware of this particular one in case there are others that are similar."

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said he's not aware of any reported gas pump credit card scams around Broome County recently.

"We're not experiencing it locally. That's not to say it can't happen again," he said. "People need to be aware of it throughout the year."

How customers can protect themselves against card skimmers

As with any kind of crime prevention, experts say situational awareness is key to preventing credit card fraud.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection recommends looking for hidden cameras, reviewing your bank and credit card statements regularly, and most importantly, carefully inspecting any card-reading device.

Lenard also said don't mindlessly shove your card into the reader at the gas pump without paying attention to what it looks like, he said.

"Look for part of the equipment that looks loose, like it's glued or Velcroed in. That's a tipoff," he said. "If it seems too shiny compared to everything else, that could be an indicator."

Anyone who senses something is off about a gas pump card reader should complete their transaction inside the store and alert the staff to their suspicions, Lenard said.

Akshar also said the motorist should contact the police.

"Don't use your card in the machine. Make sure the folks in the store are aware of the situation," he said. "You should report it to the police. Don't rely on the folks in the store to call."

Steps businesses can take to discourage credit card scams

Credit card companies are aware of the issue and offer their own tips for consumers to guard against card skimmers and other scams.

That includes what to do if you believe your card has been skimmed and your information stolen.

"If your account has been compromised, report it to your bank or credit card issuer immediately," Capital One states on its website. "You can do this by calling the number on the back of your card. After reporting any fraud, you may want or need to follow up on the status of your claim."

For retailers, the big question is "How do you harden your target?" Lenard said.

That's not an easy question to answer, because most retailers don't think like criminals, he said.

"You really have to shift your business mindset from serving customers to seeing how would criminals look at your business," Lenard said.

"To install a skimmer, they need to open the dispenser. You want to look at your dispensers, as an owner or a customer," he said. "If it looks pried open, or something is askew, probably someone forced it open to put a skimmer in there."

For more information on avoiding credit card skimmers, the Federal Trade Commission offers advice at consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2018/08/watch-out-card-skimming-gas-pump.

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Credit card gas pump skimmers an issue again in New York