According to financial crime investigators, card skimmer devices have been found on gas pumps and even installed on some ATM machines inside businesses in Colorado Springs.
Nico Fano shared that he makes it a point to check his card activity at least once a week to ensure that there are no unusual transactions. He has experienced having his card swiped in the past, prompting him to be more vigilant about monitoring his card activity.
As Fano finished up his grocery shopping at a nearby store, he realized the danger of card skimmers lurking around.
According to Fano, who used to work at a company that had some dealings with card readers, skimmers are a real threat. He revealed that they would sometimes receive card readers that had been tampered with, and the skimmers were only discovered when they started to dismantle them. This goes to show that skimming devices are indeed out there and can be difficult to detect.
According to Lt. Owne Scott of the Colorado Springs Police Department, they were able to locate around seven or eight gas stations in the vicinity throughout the year.
According to him, the targeted gas stations where card skimmers are found are always changing. However, the technique used to target consumers remains relatively consistent.
According to Lt. Scott, a common tactic used by thieves is to attach a device to the card reader that can electronically read the data from your credit or debit card as you insert it into the machine. This information is then transmitted, often through bluetooth, to the thief who can then use it to clone your credit card, make unauthorized online purchases, and engage in a variety of other malicious activities. It’s important to be vigilant and protect your personal information whenever using an ATM or card reader.
It seems that the issue of gas pump skimming has resurfaced in the news. According to law enforcement officials, there is a new trend where criminals are drilling holes into the touch-to-pay feature on gas pumps. Their hope is that unsuspecting consumers will use these rigged card readers, allowing the skimming device to steal their sensitive information. This is definitely a cause for concern for those who frequently use their credit or debit cards at gas stations.
According to Lt. Scott, tapping to pay with your card is currently the most secure payment method available. However, there are some individuals who are finding ways to get around this security measure and disabling it, forcing you to enter your card through the machine.
The scammers were quick to identify that a lot of people in our state were worried about card skimmers at gas stations. To exploit this concern, they created an email that looked legitimate and included a link to a fraudulent list of gas stations that were supposedly affected by skimming devices. It’s essential to remain vigilant in the face of such scams and to take steps to protect yourself from falling victim to them.
According to Colorado State Patrol Trooper Aaron Lupton, individuals are eager to know about safe places they can visit. People are interested in obtaining this information, and as a result, the link providing this information was quite appealing to many. Trooper Lupton believes that individuals want to be aware of locations that are safe and recommended for visiting.
According to investigators, the fraudulent email did not originate from CSP. Instead, it was designed as a deceptive tactic to entice consumers to click on a potentially harmful link.
Trooper Lupton explained that the incident was an endeavor to introduce malware or spyware, commonly referred to as electronic phishing.
According to CSPD investigators, the use of card skimmers on gas pumps and ATM machines is not constant and tends to fluctuate in waves. However, they are constantly working to identify and hold accountable those who plant these devices.
According to Lt. Scott, there was a case last year where arrests were made and significant jail time was served once the individuals were identified.
If you’re concerned about falling victim to card skimmers at the gas station, there are a few key strategies you can use to protect yourself. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of having your credit or debit card information stolen by fraudsters. So, whether you’re a frequent driver or just filling up your tank occasionally, it’s worth taking the time to implement these safety measures.
If you happen to observe any suspicious activity at a gas station, it is crucial that you not only inform the staff but also make a report to the police. This simple act could potentially save others from losing their valuable time and money.
