LANSING, Mich. — During a routine inspection blitz, weights and measures inspectors from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) found a number of credit card skimmers placed inside gas pumps across eight different stations.
The discovery is another example of the vulnerabilities faced by gas stations that have not made the switch to accept EMV at the pump, especially after liability for fraudulent charges has now been passed to the station operator. Credit card skimmers cannot be seen outside the pump and are located inside where they make a copy of the consumer's card information.
“These criminals continue to try and use gas pumps to commit theft and steal your personal information for fraudulent use. These inspections are just another way MDARD is protecting Michigan consumers at the pump,” said Gary McDowell, director of MDARD. “Kudos to our weights and measures staff for their vigilance in protecting consumers pocketbooks and personal identification.”
MDARD continues to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement to try track down the thieves.
“Criminals who engage in this type of illegal activity exploit and manipulate the very technology that we depend on to conduct secure financial transactions in the retail marketplace,” said Timothy Waters, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting consumers, businesses and financial institutions from fraud schemes conducted by criminal enterprises likes this one.”
“The station owners had security measures in place to protect their patrons such as security tape,” said Craig VanBuren, director of MDARD's lab division. “Unfortunately, the thieves cut, broke or removed the tape. It is important that both the stations and customers remain vigilant at the pump when using a bank or credit card.”
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.