The agency says it found skimmers on gas dispensers throughout Wisconsin.
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“Various locks on the inside of the dispensers, or systems that’ll actually shut the dispensers down if they’re opened, or credit card information might be encrypted, so there’s a wide variety of measures that different retailers put in place”, Wilson said.
Madison (WXOW) – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Weights and Measures Bureau is warning people about credit and debit card skimmers found at Wisconsin gas stations recently. Five of those devices were found in Madison.
“The idea of skimmers is not new”, he said.
“A consumer may likely have no indication that they used an altered dispenser until they find a discrepancy on their bank statements”, Division Administrator of Trade and Consumer Protection Frank Frassetto said.
They’re either a fake card reader that fits over the real one on the outside of the gas pump or just a rigged up cable on the inside of the pump that goes from the reader to the machine’s motherboard.
Police suggest keeping your information safe by paying inside, looking for any signs of tampering or tool marks on the pump and lightly wiggling the card reader. If a seal is compromised, tell the station manager.
DeSpain said customers anxious about having their personal information stolen can take steps to alleviate concerns.
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Gas stations across the country have until October 2017 to install chip readers on pumps. “And check your credit report for any unusual activity”. DATCP said station management would be informed by the inspector, the pump would be taken out of service and law enforcement would be notified, because the presence of a skimmer makes the pump a crime scene.
