Gas Scam

[garcia5]

Saw last night on the news that some people are putting these carbon copy devices inside of the gas pumps where you swipe your credit card. They said its really hard to tell if they are there but that they will copy the information on your card. I hate idiots but what can you do if killing them is illegal? So be on the look out for anything suspicious and stay safe.

[dizzymom]

Well, when my boss hears that, there goes our gas card or else we'll have to go inside. Grrrr.

[Omoge]

Well, when my boss hears that, there goes our gas card or else we'll have to go inside. Grrrr.

And a lot of places won't let you prepay inside now! BP for one doesn't. (bastards)

[nosferatu]

Where was this happening? I'll be on the look out now. I'd hate to have to pay inside.

[garcia5]

Its so funny but when I went to get gas the other day I stuck my finger in the credit card slot and gave it a nudge to see if there was something in there and I looked over and the guy over from me was staring at me like I was crazy. I almost told him about the gas scam but pumped my gas and took off instead. Awkward.

[nadiawallen]

I actually work in the fraud department of a bank and what it is a swiping machine. It actually looks like the machine that you are using, that is why you don't notice it. It then copies your information and at the end of the day, the criminal comes back and gets the machine and takes it home and relays all your card information to their computer. And I mean all your information, since your mag strip contains your name, account number, ss#, and dob. So you have to be extremely careful of where you use your card. And alot of times once they get your info, they may not use it for a few weeks, so don't think that it was the last place you used it when you figure its being used.

[colacoke]

Saw last night on the news that some people are putting these carbon copy devices inside of the gas pumps where you swipe your credit card. They said its really hard to tell if they are there but that they will copy the information on your card. I hate idiots but what can you do if killing them is illegal? So be on the look out for anything suspicious and stay safe.

I also saw this on the news, and they interviewed some of the victims.
It will be years before their credit report is clear and more hours than I can imagine.
I think what is so sad is that the people doing the scam must be intelligent and capable of earning an honest living but they chose to scam us all.
Even if you are not a victim you pay because fraud is a cost of doing business.

[nsheppa]

The scam artist is always busy trying to scam the working man. What a shame.

[dizzymom]

I'm curious about what steps we are to take to make sure that this doesn't happen to us. Did the articles say anything about it?

[garcia5]

Another gas scam that is rumored to be true is that if you don't press clear after you make a credit transaction at the pumps somoene with the know how could use the information to charge your card again. Sounds false to me but its come to me in a chain email

[ixrfo]

I wouldn't trust anything that I got in a chain mail. As far as the other scam goes, it is getting ridiculous now. People scamming other people and taking their money is insane. I have never trusted credit cards and this is part of the reason why. I would rather have no credit than bad credit.

[nadiawallen]

Another gas scam that is rumored to be true is that if you don't press clear after you make a credit transaction at the pumps somoene with the know how could use the information to charge your card again. Sounds false to me but its come to me in a chain email

The only thing I can say is that you can never be too careful. If there is a way to it, someone will do it.

[madcowjm]

Does it really have your SS info in your card? Wow .. that's extreme if it does ... but it is scary that it has your address all by itself ... it needs to not do that ... just name is fine enough .. it's not as if someone in the store asks you for your address when you're buying things :)

[nadiawallen]

Does it really have your SS info in your card? Wow .. that's extreme if it does ... but it is scary that it has your address all by itself ... it needs to not do that ... just name is fine enough .. it's not as if someone in the store asks you for your address when you're buying things :)


yeah, it's true that it has your ss#. It also has your bday, name and address in that mag strip. If a card gets in the wrong hands, they can have all your info.

[welccm]

The GAS Scam requires a equipment change -- actually it is easier to put out a fake ATM than change most gas pumps with a new transmitter. The bigger SCAM is SKIMMING -- you can get a skimmer on sites like e-bay and then they have your 3 digit security code [ MOST IMPORTANT]. Here is a little info...

Skimming 101: How to spot it, avoid it, deal with itBy Emily Starbuck Gerson and Ben Woolsey
"Skimming" is a method by which thieves steal your credit card information, and all it requires is a little illicit technology and a lot of criminal intent by those who handle your credit card.

Skimming occurs most frequently at retail outlets that process credit card payments -- particularly bars, restaurants and gas stations.

How to spot skimming
Here's how it works: A corrupt employee "skims" a customer's credit card with a small, handheld electronic device that scans and stores the card data from the magnetic strip. The employee usually sells the information through a contact or on the Internet, at which point counterfeit cards are made. The criminals go on a shopping spree with a copy of the credit or debit card, and cardholders are unaware of the fraud until a statement arrives with purchases they did not make.

John Brewer, assistant district attorney in the major fraud division of Harris County (Texas) District Attorney's Office, regularly prosecutes identity thieves. "Many consumers think that shopping online is a high-risk endeavor compared to going to a brick and mortar store, but I believe the opposite," Brewer says. "The vast majority of cases we investigate have to do with employees at a physical store stealing your information."

How to avoid skimming
Brewer has encountered many skimming victims and has tips for consumers on how to stay out of trouble.


Make sure your card stays in sight, and never let anyone leave of your presence with the card if you can help it. "Skimming occurs most at restaurants since the waiter has to walk away with your card," Brewer says. "If you are in a retail store and they say they have to go to another counter to run the card, follow them." If you are concerned about letting go of your card at restaurants, use cash instead.
Your credit card is like cash. "You need to be aware that your credit card is very valuable," Brewer says. "Treat it like a diamond or cash. Would you just give someone cash and let them walk away with it?"
Monitor credit card receipts and check them carefully against your statements. If you are married, sit down with your spouse to account for all charges, Brewer says. Some thieves take out small amounts in hopes cardholders won't notice.
Shred unwanted financial solicitations and put your mail on hold when you leave town. This will not help with skimming, but it can help with other forms of identity theft.
To further protect yourself from potential unauthorized charges or identity fraud, you can request that credit bureaus monitor your accounts for unusual spending patterns and require them to notify you before new credit can be granted in your name. These services come at a price; normally under $100 per year depending on the credit agency. But that might be a worthy investment, especially if you eat in restaurants on a regular basis.

How to deal with skimming

Call the police. "When your identity or credit card is stolen, it's just like having a car stolen," Brewer says. Make a police report and hang on to the police report number.
Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately and tell them your card was stolen. If you don't make a report quickly, you may be liable for some or all of the unauthorized charges.
If you report swiftly, federal law caps your liability at $50. Most credit cards voluntarily go further, and won't charge you at all -- again, if you report quickly. "If you end up being a victim, it's probably not going to cost you any money," Brewer says. "If you notify your bank quickly, they'll return the money. Don't get hung up about the fact that someone might drain your bank account. The most you will probably spend on it is wasted time and lots of aggravation, since it can be a long process to get everything worked out."
Contact the three major credit bureaus -- TransUnion, Equifax and Experian -- to request a security freeze, which prevents new credit authorizations without your consent. Brewer suggests visiting the Web site www.annualcreditreport.com. "It's an institution created in response to a large number of identity theft victims and the cost incurred to them," Brewer says. Through the site, which was mandated by federal law in response to consumer outcry, you are entitled to receive one free credit report each year from each of the three major credit bureaus.

[mtravis]

No the card does not have your SSN on it. Take a look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_stripe_card if you want a place to start looking.

As for gas scams using a reader the reader can be molded to overlay and look as part of the normal reading unit on the outside just like with ATMs but they usually can be pushed about and knocked off. On the inside usually means it was an inside job (employee). If you find one call the police immediately. The problem is the equipment is just being used to perform a illegal task just like a computer can be used but you cannot outlaw the equipment itself.

The scams I have come across thou have seen are companies pumping partial gallons (9 tenths instead of whole gallon). And the other which I called the state on was a station who was showing one value on the screen and printing the charged amount a cent or two higher (which was the charged amount). I also always double check my CC charges against receipt.

[ELPEMOUT]

No I dont't think that info on the strip. all they can do is charge up the card. I had a card lost. and then cancelled it, got the new one. And then all of a sudden charges started appering on my statement. and the card was supposed to be cancelled by sony at the time. ASo go figure.:confused: