Sheriff?s Office warns of credit card skimmers

In the past few weeks, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department has received several reports of bank accounts where debit/credit cards were compromised and cloned using a different card with someone else?s bank information. In all of the cases, the victims had physical possession of their cards but the fake ones were used out of state to purchase pre-paid bankcards.

A press release from the police stated it is believed that a skimmer had been used at a local gas station. The suspects were captured on film in two different states, but at this time the case is still ongoing in an attempt to identify them.

In order to help residents to protect themselves, the police department has listed some helpful tips and information.

A credit card skimmer is a portable capture device that is attached in front of or on top of the legitimate scanner. The skimmer passively records the card data as you insert your credit card into the real scanner.

Credit card thieves will often temporarily affix the card skimmer device to gas pumps, ATMs or other convenient self-service point-of-sale terminals. The bad guys like gas pumps and ATMs because they are easy to retrieve their skimmers from and they generally receive a lot of traffic.

Beware of Gas Station Credit Card Skimmers

Gas station credit card skimmers are external devices that thieves attach over a real credit card slot at a gas station pump. As customers swipe their cards into the skimmer, the device saves and stores card information immediately.

What to look for: If a credit card slot looks different from the other card readers at the station, it might be a setup for a credit card skimming fraud.

What to do: Skimming devices are meant to be placed temporarily for a matter of hours or just a day. For that reason, they are attached using only double-sided tape, so thieves can easily remove them. Before sliding a credit card through the machine, tug on the reader to ensure it is securely attached; skimmers will easily pop off with little effort.

Contact the police to file a police report if you find a credit card skimmer; this is a necessary step so that the device can be placed safely in the hands of authorities.

Look for Tamper-Evident Stickers

Criminals usually infiltrate credit card mechanisms through the front panel of gas pumps. They implant devices internally, and these devices then capture the credit card information from within once customers swipe their cards.

What to look for: Survey the gas pump?s edges ? especially the hatch surrounding the credit card unit. If it looks battered, as if someone tried to pry it open, or if the lock itself is broken, it might be compromised. Some gas stations, like Shell stations, apply a tamper-proof seal across the opening of the credit card door. When a door is broken into, the sticker is lifted revealing the words ?VOID? on the sticker.

What to do: Before using a gas pump, find out whether the pump has a tamper-evident sticker. If it has one that is placed on the unit correctly ? across the opening of the door ? and it reads ?VOID,? move on to the next pump or station.

Inform the gas attendant if there is a voided sticker ? and definitely contact the local authorities to report the gas station scams in the area. If enough reports of gas station credit card fraud are forwarded, this might get an investigation started.

Block View of Pinhole Cameras

These inconspicuous cameras are so small that cardholders really have to be paying attention to spot them. They are sometimes used in conjunction with credit card skimmers to capture footage of customers entering their PIN numbers on debit cards. With this added information, criminals can commit debit card fraud and withdraw funds directly from bank accounts, as well as make fraudulent credit card purchases. For this reason, it?s always better to use a credit card at a gas station rather than a debit card.

What to look for: Again, search for anything on the face of the gas pump that looks different compared to the other pumps. Pinhole cameras are often situated above the keypad area.

What to do: For extra precaution, use two hands when paying for gas at the pump. Use one hand for the transaction, and place the other above the credit card screen to shield the keypad from view of lurking cameras above.

Beware of Electronic Pickpockets

Among the most dangerous tools used to steal credit card information are electronic pickpocketing devices. Credit cards that have a radio frequency ID (RFID) chip implanted are susceptible to these electronic pickpocketing devices. These chips are easy to scan and allow customers the convenience of tapping ? instead of swiping ? their cards to make a purchase. Criminals conceal the device discreetly while walking past their victims, and use the device to scan victims? ?chipped? credit cards.

What to look for: Know whether credit cards have the RFID chip; MasterCard PayPass and Chase Blink credit cards are among those that feature the chip. No contact is needed for the device to scan credit cards ? thieves only need to be a few inches away.

What to do: Chase and other banks have already started to phase out this feature. Those who still own a RFID-capable card can do two things to protect themselves. This includes being wary of anyone who walks too closely to a cardholder at the pump and remain aware of your surroundings and the electronic devices that might be in others? hands. Also, wrapping the RFID cards in aluminum foil. It sounds funny, but it?s proven to be more effective in protecting credit card information than expensive RFID-specific wallets on the market, according to Consumer Reports.

Use the Pump Closest to the Cashier

If there is a choice of pumps, choose the pump closest to the cashier. Criminals are less likely to apply credit card skimmers or other criminal tools so close to the attendant. Of course, it is prudent to still be wary of credit card skimmers, tamper-evident stickers and pinhole cameras.

When in Doubt, Use Cash

While credit cards lend convenience, if a situation just doesn?t feel right, just use cash. It saves the hassle of disputing a credit card charge in the future and eliminates the chance of putting oneself at risk of long-term credit damage.

Pay the Gas Station Attendant Instead

If cash isn?t a possibility, cardholders also have the option of handling the transaction with the gas station attendant. Customers do still take on a small risk ? as there is no guarantee that the employee isn?t using a credit card skimmer behind the counter ? but can avoid the risks of pinhole cameras and gas-pump credit card readers that have been tampered with.

What to Do If Your Credit Card Is Skimmed

It?s always good practice for cardholders to check their bank or credit card statements to make sure the charges are correct. After filling up your car at a gas station, it?s prudent to check your accounts. While reviewing statements or accounts, if a cardholder finds that a credit card has indeed been skimmed, call the credit card company or bank immediately to let them know about the fraudulent charges and to protect oneself from further criminal activity on that card.

Credit cards and banks have measures set up for credit card fraud detection; consider taking advantage of these tools. For example, a cardholder might consider setting up a credit fraud alert on their accounts so they can know immediately of any fraud charges or if their account security is compromised.