Credit Card Skimmers are Alive and Well

Last week the convenience store chain, Casey’s General Store announced that payment card skimmers were found on several of the fuel pumps at locations located in Nebraska and Iowa. The company has stated it launched an investigation at all of its approximately 1,900 locations across 14 states. It is undetermined if any information was actually retrieved or used fraudulently as a result of the devices being on the pumps, but Casey’s officials said all of the skimmers that it found have been removed and law enforcement was notified.

ATM skimmers get quite a lot of press and while criminals are getting more and more sophisticated in creating them, it is not impossible to identify them. Take a moment to inspect the credit card device, if anything looks odd, shake it to see if it belongs there. However, some of the skimming devices used on fuel pumps can be a bit more challenging to detect as they are placed inside the machines. Therefore, whomever applies them, must somehow get access inside. Since you can't readily detect these, we put some tips below that will help avoid the affected pumps.

These skimmers tend to placed more often on pumps on the perimeter or outer edges of the gas stations where the clerks cannot get a clear view. In a case in Denver, several years ago, some customers were getting phone calls promising gift cards if they fueled up at particular stations. Therefore, should you receive any calls like this, it should raise suspicion.

Like ATM skimmers, devices can be installed outside the pumps too. Look closely at the slot where a payment card is entered to make sure something hasn’t been taped or glued on top of it. Give it a jiggle if in doubt to make sure it’s solid.

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• Use machines in well-lit places and in plain view of a clerk.
• Cover your hand when entering your PIN or zip code onto the keypad.
• If possible, pay cash for fuel.
• Make sure the fuel hose you are using is the one connected to the correct pump.
• Use the credit card option over debit card. This gives you more protection if your number is stolen.
• If in doubt about the security of a card reader, go elsewhere or use cash.
• Check payment card statements often for suspicious charges and notify the issuing institution immediately, if something is amiss.

The skimmers at the Casey’s stores were at the locations listed below. If you used your card at the affected locations, watch charges for at least the next year.

• 150 W. US Highway 30, Grand Island, NE 68803 
• 108 W. 8^th, Wood River, NE 68883
• 705 2^nd Avenue, Kearney, NE 68847 
• 115 E. Nobes Road, York, NE 68467 
• 15275 Weir Plaza, Omaha, NE 68127 
• 13941 Highway 6, Waverly, NE 68462      
• 11200 140^th St. Pl. Davenport, IA 52804

If you suspect any device where you enter your payment card has been tampered with, contact the organization responsible for the machine and use an alternate one to complete your transaction.