INDIANA – Credit card fraud continues to be a lucrative business for thieves all over the world. Tactics used by fraudsters to get your credit card information continue to evolve as technology advances.
Fraudsters often utilize gas pumps as locations to install card skimming equipment used to steal credit and debit card information from unsuspecting victims.
A recent traffic stop by Trooper Luis Alvarez on the Indiana Toll Road led to the discovery of card-skimming devices. On November 7, 2023, Trooper Alvarez stopped a silver 2023 Chrysler for a moving violation in Elkhart County. During the traffic stop, it was discovered that the Chrysler was stolen. Items suspected of being used for credit card skimming were located in the vehicle as well and gift cards to load the stolen credit card information onto were also located. Both juvenile occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody. Evidence gathered by troopers suggests that this group has been active in northwest Indiana and Elkhart County.
When a skimmer is installed on a single gas pump, it can capture 30 to 100 card numbers a day.
Police say gas pump skimmers are more likely to be found at service stations near interstate highway exits. That’s because they attract the most drivers using debit or credit cards.
Police say using a credit card is safer than using a debit card when gassing up. That’s because a debit card is connected directly to your bank account.
Tactics used by fraudsters continually change but there are some tips you can use to keep yourself safe the next time you fill up.
- Pay inside.
- Use the tap-to-pay function. This keeps your card out of potential card-skimming devices.
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card. This keeps your funds safe if compromised since a debit card is linked directly to your bank account.
- Cover the keypad when entering your zip code or PIN. Fraudsters often use a pinhole camera to capture this information.
- Check the reader and keypad for overlays that capture your card information.
- Look to see that the security tape is not broken on the pump in the area of the card reader, suggesting skimming equipment may be inside the machine.
External Skimmer
There are two types of gas pump skimmers. External and internal. One sign of an external skimmer: Check the card reader for any evidence of tampering.
Look for anything loose or protruding from where you insert your debit or credit card. There should be nothing in there at all that moves.
Doors to gas pumps need to be locked
The doors to gas pumps need to be locked. If it’s unlocked or forced open. That’s a red flag.
Check your cell phone Bluetooth setting for unusual numbers
Internal card skimmers are hidden inside the gas pump – often with no evidence of tampering.
In fact, those skimmers can transmit your card number to crooks in real-time using Bluetooth.
So, before you insert your card, you can check your cell phone’s Bluetooth setting. If you see a long string of numbers trying to connect, that’s a warning sign.
Police say motorists should regularly monitor their accounts for suspicious activity daily when traveling and report anything suspicious to their bank and to law enforcement.
Fraud is a lucrative business. Each of you can take steps to make it harder for fraudsters to make a living.
