That Pesky Skimming Problem

Investigations have spanned across states including Maryland and Florida, but also persist nationwide.

August 23, 2017

BALTIMORE – Police in Maryland are warning drivers and gas station owners of skimming devices inside gas pumps following last week's arrest of two Florida men who installed a device at an Ellicott City Exxon, reports the Baltimore Sun.

According to police, an employee at an Exxon gas station observed two men putting an illegal card reader inside a pump in early August. The men were arrested and charged with possession of a skimming device and counterfeit credit card materials, and later released on bond. Skimmers are installed inside the cabinet of ATMs and gas pumps and use data from credit or debit cards, such as PIN numbers, to access bank accounts.

Skimming investigations have spanned across Maryland, according to police, including nine reports in Columbia; five reports in Ellicott City; three reports in Elkridge; and two reports in Laurel. The majority of reports involved devices at gas stations.

Local gas stations and businesses are asked to check their pumps and ATMs every day, police told the Sun. Signs of tampering include damage to the security seal on the cabinet panel and loose or crooked card scanners or keypads. Drivers should also consider choosing a pump within view of the gas station attendant and paying for gas inside the station or kiosk.

Earlier this year, Florida lawmakers went after people with skimming devices in their possession or for sale as well. “These devices are designed to specifically collect and steal consumer data,” said state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, who sponsored a Senate bill that would make possessing or selling such devices a third-degree felony. While skimming is a national problem, Florida—with its high levels of tourists and more than 10,000 c-stores—has seen its share of skimming troubles.

NACS and Conexxus both have resources available online related to skimming and payments security. For more information about Conexxus, go to www.conexxus.org.

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