John Willoughby: Greene Publishing, Inc.
On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Valdosta Police Department (VPD) responded to a call from a local gas station after a card skimmer was found.
According to a report by the VPD, the device was discovered after a gas station attendant reported a malfunction to their corporate office. A technician for the gas pump found the card skimmer wired to the gas pump's card scanner. The illegal device was confiscated immediately by responding officers. “The device has gotten smaller [and] almost impossible to track,” said VPD Lieutenant Adam Bembry. Bembry also stated the the business is aware of the issue.
Card skimming is a type of theft where criminals use a small device to steal debit and/or credit card information while card owners believe they are making a legitimate transaction. According to thebalance.com, when a credit or debit card is swiped through a skimmer, the device captures and stores all the details stored in the card's magnetic stripe, on the back of the card. The stripe contains the credit/debit card number, expiration date and the card holder's full name. Thieves use the stolen data to make fraudulent charges either online or with a counterfeit credit card.
Card skimmers are often placed inside swipe mechanisms on ATMs and on gas pumps. Lieutenant Bembry stated that skimmers are more commonly found in gas pumps near the interstate. Bembry stated that it is uncommon for thieves to spend time going miles off the interstate to place a skimmer.
The VPD would like to remind the public of certain ways to avoid becoming a victim of card skimming: Use a credit card, not a debit card, when you pay; if any part of the pump scanner is loose, appears to be breached, or otherwise looks suspicious, report it immediately and do not use the pump; use your card issuer's fraud alerts and check your bank and card statements frequently; pay inside, with cash or with a credit card, rather than paying at the pump; and if you have a digital wallet (such as apple pay), consider utilizing such programs.
Local law enforcement agencies always encourage reporting discovered devices, as it helps to prevent such scams from happening again. If you come in contact with a skimmer, call the Madison Police Department at (850) 973-5077 or the Madison County Sheriff's Office at (850) 973-4151.