Gas stations pumps can be a hidden security risk that many people are not aware of. Skimmers are tiny devices hidden inside gas pumps that steal your card information. While this is not a new problem, it continues to be a security risk every driver (of a gasoline-powered car) should be aware of. The discovery of eight skimmers inside gas pumps in Michigan was just announced a few days ago. Skimmers have also been found on parking meters, ticket kiosks, and ATMs.

Skimmers read the data stored on the magnetic strip on your card when it is inserted into the gas pump. This means the thief can see your name, card number, and expiration date. Some fraudsters even attach tiny cameras to the pump to capture PINs that customers type in for debit cards.

A study from credit scoring company FICO found that fraud from card skimmers is increasing at a rate of 10% per year. In Florida alone, more than 1,000 skimmers were detected on gas pumps in 2018. The U.S. Secret Service, which has been on the lookout for credit card skimmers, finds 20 to 30 of the devices attached to gas pumps weekly, with each skimmer holding details of about 80 cards.

Experian – August 7, 2019

Here are several steps you can take to reduce your risk the next time you fill up.

NEVER Use a Debit Card

Like I said above, card skimming fraudsters can get your card number from their devices. A debit card is attached to your bank account, giving the crooks direct access to your piggy bank to make fraudulent purchases.

If you absolutely must use a debit card, run it as a credit card so you do not have to enter a PIN that could be captured. When that’s not an option, cover your hand when typing your PIN. This prevents your PIN from being captured by any camera, though it does not prevent it being stolen by a PIN pad overlay.

In that same vein…

Use a Dedicated Credit Card

I personally choose to use a secondary credit card that I have exclusively for what I consider risky purchases. This way, if that number is stolen, I can minimize my hassle for changing the card number on recurring purchases. Incidentally, I also use this card if I’m in a less-than-upstanding establishment or purchasing something online from an unknown party.

Another best practice for so many reasons: set up notifications for charges on your card. I have this secondary card set up to notify me for any charge, so I will know immediately if it is used fraudulently.

Three Cs: Clean and Close to Clerk

Do your best to use well-lit and well-maintained gas stations. Look for stickers indicating that the gas pumps are regularly inspected.

Choose the gas pump closest to the cashier. Fraudsters are more likely to install skimmers where an employee or security camera is least likely to see them.

You can also choose to pay with cash or card inside the station, where a would-be thief is less likely to have installed a skimmer. Some gas stations are starting to accept mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay as well.

Do a Quick Check of the Pump

This doesn’t have to be an intense 50-point inspection.

• Look for the security tape that most gas stations use to protect their pumps. It should be intact. In the Michigan example at the top of this post, the tape had been tampered with or removed.
• Look to see if anything is lose around the card reader or PIN pad or doesn’t quite look right.
• Give a quick tug on the credit card reader to see if anything comes off.
• If you see something, report it to a gas station employee.

Should You Use an App to Scan for Skimmers?

While researching this post, I found several articles recommending mobilapps that scan for skimmers. I won’t recommend those at this time. This article does an excellent job outlining why these scanners can produce both false positives and false negatives.

Unfortunately, skimming fraudsters are continually adapting and improving their technology. The newest skimmers are now undetectable to the victim. That’s why you need to be aware of the risks, so you can take precautions to minimize them. Just remember to set up notifications for charges or check your statements regularly, so you can catch any suspicious transactions immediately.

What to Do if You Do Have a Fraudulent Charge?

Thankfully, that guidance hasn’t changed. Report the fraudulent charge to your bank or credit card issuer as soon as possible. If you know where and when the card information may have been stolen, you can also contact the police department.

There are plenty of good resources online for what to do, so I won’t recreate the wheel too much:

1. https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/who-to-call-first-hours-after-fraud/
2. https://creditcards.usnews.com/articles/what-to-do-about-fraudulent-credit-card-charges