ANDERSON, Ind. -- Over the next three months, Ricker’s Convenience Stores will invest $150,000 in anti-skimming technology, which will cover every pump at all of its 56 locations to protect its customers from the recent surge of credit-card skimmers at gas stations in central Indiana.
The convenience store chain has already begun to install security systems at each of its c-stores to detect the presence of skimming devices.
“Credit-card 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.
Credit-card skimmers--devices used to steal a customer’s credit-card information--are installed through the hatch on the front panel of the gas pump containing the credit-card unit.
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 the pump 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,” said Ricker.
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,” said Ricker.
With headquarters in Anderson, Ind., Ricker’s has 56 convenience stores known for their RickerPop fountain drinks.
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