Most of us are usually in a hurry when we need to fill up our gas tanks. However, you're going to want to remain vigilant and try to remember standard precautions when doing so. you may not be able to detect every card skimmer, but always try your best to stay safe at the pump.
1. Check the pump panel for tampering.
The lockable door on gas pumps and ATMs should be closed and securely fastened; many gas stations take the additional step of placing a tamper-resistant seal over the door. If the tamper-resistant seal is broken, do not use the gas pump, and tell an employee that the pump may not be safe for people to use until it's been properly inspected.
2. Inspect the card slot and the PIN pad (compare with other pumps)
try to wiggle the card slot. If it seems loose, or strangely bulkier than the other pumps at the same station, you may want to move along to another terminal. Likewise, if the PIN pad seems obtrusively thick, or if it does not match the pads on other pumps, this is a clear sign that something is wrong.
3. Be on the lookout for hidden cameras!
High-tech data thieves sometimes use tiny cameras to obtain PIN numbers, alongside your card information as you type it into the keypad. Be on the lookout for tiny pinhole cameras, or phony screen shades attached above the screen display that may conceal a hidden camera. Most importantly, when using the PIN pad, always shield your PIN with your other hand.
4. Try to avoid the PIN pad entirely.
Even if you are paying for your gas with a debit card, if possible, run the card as “credit” instead. Most financial institutions, including Security National Bank, allow you to do this. Not only does this afford you additional protection because the funds aren't immediately drawn out of your account, it also allows you to avoid entering your PIN entirely. Another way to avoid the PIN pad, if you're still wary of a pump's payment system, is to simply pay for your gas inside.
5. Choose a pump closest to the gas station door.
Thieves often install their skimming devices on the least visible pumps at a gas station, so when possible, choose a pump close to the physical building or the cashier's line of sight. Also, try to fuel up at trusted gas stations that have real CCTV cameras installed as an extra security measure.
Remember, the first line of defense is you!
always, monitor your bank accounts closely for any suspicious activity. If you find anything, report it to your financial institution and law enforcement right away. Luckily, with tools like mobile banking, monitoring your account activity is now easier and more convenient than ever.
What is a credit card skimmer?
Credit card skimmers are devices that criminals attach to ATMs, gas pumps, and any other payment terminals to steal your card's information. Skimmers come in all shapes, sizes and varying degrees of complexity.
With the advent of chip-enabled debit cards, card users have a great way to protect themselves from skimmers. These chip-based cards are by far the safest form of card to use at any payment terminal, but there of course is still a risk to using one... card shimming.
Card “shimming” is a new technique scammers use to target chip-based credit and debit cards. a “shimmer” is named as such, because it acts like a shim, sitting between the reading device and the chip on the card you insert. shimmers are much harder to detect than skimmers because they are paper-thin devices that actually sit inside the reader, hidden from plain sight. so no matter how much you’ve learned about how to spot skimmers at gas pumps, you’d have a hard time spotting a device completely hidden from view.
What does a credit card skimmer look like?
Some skimmers are physically attached to the machine, extending the card slot so that it captures your information as you slide your card.
Other criminals install hidden cameras to capture your PIN or zip code, and then slip away with your money without even needing your wallet. some thieves install fake keypads, replacing the need for cameras. sometimes, Bluetooth and cell phone technology can be used to retrieve information from skimming devices — meaning criminals don't even need to be at the scene of the crime when it happens.
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