San Marcos PD Suggests How To Avoid Theft Of Card Information At The ATM, Gas Pump

According to the San Marcos Police Department, the skimming devices can come in many forms and can be hard to detect. So how can you protect yourself? SMPD suggests the following…

By, Staff

As technology advances, thieves have to get more creative in their methods to steal your information.

In December 2017, Llano County experienced its first case of credit card skimmers on local gas pumps. And a few days earlier, Georgetown Police responded to a report that gas pump card readers had been tampered with and discovered skimmers installed on the pumps.

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.

According to the San Marcos Police Department, the skimming devices can come in many forms and can be hard to detect.

So how can you protect yourself? SM Police Department suggests the following 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.

Keep an eye on your bank accounts for any suspicious activity and report it to the bank or credit card company immediately.