INDIANAPOLIS – Over the next three months, Ricker’s Convenience Stores will invest $150,000 into anti-skimming technology at every pump at each of its 56 locations to protect customers from the recent surge of card skimmers at gas stations in central Indiana. The convenience store chain has already begun to install security systems at each of its stores to detect the presence of skimming devices.

“[C]ard skimming is rapidly becoming a threatening issue, not only in Indianapolis, but nationwide,” said Jay Ricker, company founder and chairman. “It’s important that our customers feel safe when they make a transaction at our pumps. Because of this, we have made credit card skimmer detection and prevention a high priority along with general safety at our stores.

Within the next 12 weeks, Ricker’s will have a new security system in place that will notify Ricker’s management and maintenance within 11 seconds of the hatch being tampered with. The pump will then be placed out of order to prevent skimming until it is verified safe.

“Ultimately, we just want our customers to be able to come to Ricker’s and pump with peace of mind without fear of their credit card information being stolen,” Ricker said.

Before the security system, Ricker’s combatted card skimming by placing safety seals over the pump’s front panels. Ricker’s employees monitored the seals daily and put the pump out of order for an inspection if they found a seal to be broken. “We hope these security systems not only catch thieves in the act, but ultimately prevent the skimming devices from being installed entirely,” Ricker said.

Conexxus and NACS provide convenience and fuel retailers with resources and tools to proactively initiate and maintain effective payment security procedures that help reduce the occurrence of skimming. In December, Conexxus and NACS hosted a free webinar that highlighted the processes and tools available to protect dispenser terminals from intrusion and skimmers. The webinar was conducted by representatives from Gilbarco Veeder-Root and Wayne Fueling Systems.