SAN BENITO — Police are investigating a case in which credit card skimming devices were found on a convenience store’s gasoline pumps.
Last week, police found the devices on two gas pumps at the Stripes store at 898 N. Sam Houston Blvd., David Favila, the city’s spokesman, stated Monday in a press release.
“Routine inspections of the pumps were being performed when the devices were located,” the press release states. “The (two) devices were promptly removed and reported to the police department for further investigation.”
Investigators believe the devices were on the pumps for about three weeks.
“Devices called ‘skimmers’ that fit over card readers on gas pumps and at retail sales terminals allow thieves to illegally obtain your card number upon swiping it, then make a duplicate card or use that information obtained for their illicit use,” the press release states.
Police are urging store customers to contact their banks and local law enforcement agencies if they believe they fell victim to the scam.
“Some ways to combat the theft of your information would be to pay inside with a store attendant, use the ‘credit’ option instead of the debit option to secure your PIN, use mobile pay options such as Google or Apple Pay and to inspect the credit card reader device for any tampering before swiping,” the press release states.
