An credit card skimmer found inside a gas pump (Photo: DATCP)
The latest wrinkle in card skimming is even harder for consumers to detect.
Frank Frasetto with Wisconsin Consumer Protection says unlike external skimmers mounted on gas pumps, the latest variations are being mounted inside the pumps.
“It’s very, very difficult and highly unlikely that a consumer would know that there’s actually a skimmer that’s inside this device that’s going to be taking their credit card information and using it fraudulently,” he said.
Frasetto says stepped up inspections have detected 16 internal skimmers, mainly along heavily traveled routes. The best defense, says Frasetto, is to regularly check your bank and credit card statements “with a fine tooth comb.”