For much of 2022, consumers endured record-high gas prices at the pump. While prices have gone down, there’s more to worry about at gas stations than just high prices. Consumers may be susceptible to a number of scams every time they fill up their tanks.
One such scam that appears to be increasing across the country is credit card skimming. A skimmer attaches to the credit card slot on a gas pump, and rather than your credit card being read by the pump, it’s read by the skimmer. The goal for criminals is to steal credit card information and either use it for themselves to make purchases or sell the information on the internet.
Depending on what kind of pump you’re at, it can sometimes be easy to spot a skimmer. They sometimes interfere with security tape on gas pumps, or are visible on the outside of the credit card slot. However, in recent years, they’ve become more advanced and can steal credit card information using Bluetooth.
This is particularly a threat for motorists who use their debit cards at the gas station. Not only is that money immediately taken out of your bank account, but it can make it more difficult to get the money back. Unfortunately, many victims of skimmers don’t realize what damage has been done until they check their balance weeks later.
A widespread issue
Credit card skimming at gas stations has become problematic at pumps across the country. Reports have surfaced from countless cities nationwide,…
