BREAKING: Credit Card Skimmers Found In San Marcos

With all the information, counterfeit cards can be created and used to make purchases and withdraw funds from a person’s bank accounts.

by, staff

Last Friday, the Texas Department of Agriculture responded to the Exxon station at 2041 Wonderworld Center and discovered a credit card skimmer.

The skimmers were removed by local law enforcement, the department reported, and officers requested the department delayed in releasing a notification in order to identify the suspect.

TDA Commissioner Sid Miller released a helpful video to help consumers identify video on how to avoid falling victim to credit card skimmers, which can be watched below.

Card skimmers are a way for thieves to steal information during legitimate transactions.

Thieves place them over normal card readers on gas pumps and ATMs; the devices record the card information from the magnetic strip on the back of a user’s card.

In most cases, tiny cameras are also installed to record the patron entering the pin number associated with the card.  

With all the information, counterfeit cards can be created and used to make purchases and withdraw funds from a person’s bank accounts.

To protect yourself, the San Marcos Police Department suggests following a few steps.

• Use secure ATM machines under video surveillance or inside a bank lobby.
• Pay attention to what the card reader and keypad normally look like on ATMs or Gas Pumps you use frequently.
• Don’t use a machine that’s card reader has recently changed.
• Don’t use an ATM if the card reader appears to be added on, fits poorly, or is loose. Some thieves place a fake box over the card slot that reads and records account and PIN numbers.
• Call the customer service number on the ATM immediately if a machine appears suspicious or if it does not function properly. Also, contact your local police department.