SHEBOYGAN, WI (WTAQ) – Police are sending out the alert about a crime that could strike while you’re at the gas pump. A device that steals your credit card information was found installed on a pump at a Sheboygan County gas station.
The devices, called credit card skimmers, are meant to stay hidden.
In this specific case, sheriff’s deputies are now looking for a man in relation to the crime. Detectives say they have heard from 10 potential victims.
Susan Bach, the director of the Northeast Wisconsin Better Business Bureau, says the next time you pull up to the pump with your credit or debit card be on the lookout for card skimmers.
“It’s made to look like the actual, original piece of hardware, in fact, sometimes scammers will put it over the credit card slot”
Photos from the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department show a skimmer that was installed at a gas pump in the county.
Officer Jason Weber, with the Village of Fox Crossing/Town of Menasha Police Department, says thieves can install the hardware relatively easily.
“They steal, or take the information off of the magnetic strip on your card”
Police advise that you should also be aware its not just gas pumps that have this issue, it can also be atms and other things of that nature, but there are precautions you can take to avoid being a victim.
For example, experts recommend going to gas pumps and atms that are well-lit and in plain view of employees.
And Weber has another tip
“Use a credit card instead of a debit card, because a debit card gives access to your bank account”
New credit and debit cards have computerized chips that will help. The chips create a different code for each purchase, meaning the information can’t be used twice.
In addition to trying to be alert to potential problems beforehand, police recommend checking your bank statements every week, which means online, for unauthorized purchases. Even if they don’t show up until you receive a paper statement, you still have time to contest the charge.
