By: Krystal Smalley
Ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
There has not been a confirmed case of skimmers at a gas pump in Bucyrus yet, but Police Chief Dave Koepke is making sure his force is keeping an eye out for the electric devices.
Skimmers are wireless electronic devices camouflaged to fit gas pumps and ATMs that skim personal data from debit and credit cards. The cards are not stolen but charges can be made on a person’s account if the scammer is able to obtain the numbers and account information that is stored on the card’s magnetic strip. The devices are located inside the gas pumps, could leave signs of tampering, such as a broken seal, and are typically installed within seconds.
Bucyrus police believed they had a case of a skimming scam at one of the local gas stations but were unable to confirm the incident. Skimmers have appeared in seven counties in Ohio so far: Butler, Fayette, Hamilton, Montgomery, Union, Warren, and Washington.
To avoid being victimized by scammers at the pump, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office advises consumers to use the “credit card” option rather than “debit card,” as it makes it more difficult for scammers to make unauthorized purchases without a PIN number. Consumers should also closely monitor their bank and credit card statements to watch for unauthorized withdrawals or suspicious activity.
If you believe you have been a victim of a skimming scam, you should contact local law enforcement about the incident and call your bank immediately.