Paying With Plastic At Gas Stations Could Cost You

It’s the most natural thing in the world – you pull up to a gas pump, fill your tank, insert your credit card to pay for the purchase and go.

But there’s something distinctly unnatural about what’s happening to a growing number of consumers – thieves are stealing their PINs or credit card information.

Sophisticated crooks are waiting until dark to insert software into the credit card slots. A memory chip in the reader and the gel pad records everything, and the crooks simply download what they need.

And many owners and attendants aren’t even aware they’re there – until you find someone’s been charging for items you didn’t buy.

“Quite often behind things like this it will be organized crime,” confirms Brian Wintermute of Peel Police’s Organized Crime Team. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds or less.

So far, Peel cops have found two of them, but they’re sure there are more out there.

“It’s scary,” agrees motorist Yusuf Patel. I’ll be scared to use my card in that case.”

What can you do? Paying cash is one sure solution. So is changing your PIN on a monthly basis.

And gas station owners need to check their equipment frequently to make sure no one’s been tampering with it.

Here are some other ways to protect yourself from credit card fraud and skimming schemes:

  • Check out your transaction numbers frequently, using a longer PIN number.
  • Make sure the attendant only swipes your card once, even if it means getting out of your car to watch him.
  • Make sure you get back the card you handed out. Some preoccupied drivers actually forget to ask for it and drive off without it.
  • Beware of machines that “eat” your card. They could be set up by scammers. Don’t use a machine if you’re at all suspicious. Trust your instincts. They’re often right.
  • Try to keep your credit limit low. If your card is compromised, it takes more profit out of the crime.
  • Keep a written record of all your credit or debit card numbers. Never take it with you, but store it in a secure place instead. Destroy the cards you don’t use.
  • Never lend your credit card or tell your PIN to anyone.
  • If you think you’re a victim, don’t wait. Call your bank or credit card company immediately, because the charges will simply keep accumulating if you let the theft linger.

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