#CREDIT CARD TERMINAL SKIMMER HOW TO#
#CREDIT CARD TERMINAL SKIMMER INSTALL#

In these cases, inspect the door for any unusual scraping or wear around the edges, which can indicate forced opening. You see other signs of tampering. Sometimes, there is no security sticker on the fuel dispenser door.If the sticker on your fuel pump is torn, this could also be a warning sign.

#CREDIT CARD TERMINAL SKIMMER INSTALL#

In order to install an internal skimmer, a fraudster has to break this seal. The safety seal is broken. Many gas stations place serial-numbered security stickers across the dispenser doors on their fuel pumps.Does the card reader at your pump match the others? If the card reader at one pump looks obviously different from the others, consult with a gas station employee. Next time you're filling up, take a look around at the other pumps. Something looks off. When skimming occurs at a gas station, it usually only happens at a single pump.While there’s no guaranteed method for spotting a compromised fuel pump, there are a few warning signs you can look for. Potential warning signs of a skimmer at a fuel pumpĬard skimmers can be difficult to detect at the fuel pump, another reason they’re prime targets for data thieves. An internal device is installed by breaking into the pump through the fuel dispenser door, while an external device is installed over an existing card reader, hidden in plain sight. If gone undetected, a single card skimmer at a fuel pump can capture data from 30 to 100 cards per day.įuel pumps can be affected by two types of card skimmers: internal and external. While any type of payment terminal is a potential target for card skimmers, fuel pumps are a preferred choice for many crooks because they’re accessible places for hiding and retrieving their skimming devices. From there, criminals use this stolen data to make fraudulent purchases or create counterfeit cards. When someone swipes their card to make a payment, these devices steal the information off the card’s magnetic stripe. Here’s what you should know about card skimmers and how you can protect yourself.Ĭard skimmers are small, electronic devices that criminals secretly install at payment terminals. At Cenex®, keeping our customers’ data safe is a top priority. Using devices called skimmers, thieves have figured out a way to lift card data straight from fuel customers, all without them ever knowing.Įvery day, 37 million Americans fill up on fuel, and an overwhelming majority of them - 29 million - pay with credit or debit. Crooks have many ways of stealing credit card information from right under your nose – even if you never let your card out of your sight.įor fraudsters, fuel pumps in particular are prime targets. These days, keeping your personal data safe involves much more than just looking after your wallet. If you’ve ever lost your wallet, you know it’s an experience you never want to repeat - not only because it means you’re out a wad of cash, but also because it means you may have exposed your private credit card information. Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, Refined Fuels.

#CREDIT CARD TERMINAL SKIMMER HOW TO#

How to outsmart card skimmers at the pump

Credit card terminal skimmer