The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo is now warning people to use caution after a possible credit card skimmer was found on a gas pump in the City of Buffalo.
Buffalo Police were called to the Delta Sonic location at 1192 Main Street after employees discovered the suspicious device. Skimmers are electronic devices that steal credit card information from the magnetic stripes on the cards. Skimmers are placed over the slots of an existing card reader at places like ATM's and gas pumps.
The attached pictures come from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website showing what a skimmer can look like.
Experts say skimmers will often have a small camera placed nearby to record your pin number entry. There have even been cases where a fake keypad has been placed over the real keypad to steal pin numbers.
Delta Sonic released the following statement concerning the incident:
"Due to a widespread national concern of credit card skimmers, Delta Sonic Carwash commenced a vigorous prevention and detection initiative several years ago. Initiatives include but are not limited to confidential security measures, multiple daily internal inspections and inspections by state / county weights and measures departments. Delta Sonic also has a significant employee reward program which highlights our continuous demonstration of a strong commitment to the protection of customer’s credit cards.
Recently our staff discovered a foreign object was affixed on one (1) fuel pump at our facility at 1192 Main Street, Buffalo, NY. While it is unknown whether this was in fact a credit card skimmer, out of an abundance of caution, evidence was secured and the Buffalo Police Department was notified.
Delta Sonic will work closely with the Buffalo Police Department while also continuing to be diligent in the protection of customer credit cards. "
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo recommends checking a card reader at ATM's and gas pumps to see if it is loose. Look for a miniature camera mounted off to the side.
The FTC warns people not to use gas pumps that have open panels or show signs of tampering.
It is safer to use a credit card instead of a debit card because the maximum liability for identity fraud with a credit card is $50, whereas, debit cards do not have much protection allowing a scammer to completely wipe out a bank account.
If you suspect that you are the victim of credit card skimmer, report the incident to your bank. File a police report and submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/avoid-skimmers-pump
Also, let employees at the business know so they can take the appropriate actions.
7 Eyewitness News Reported Ed Reilly has more in his report.
