Update: Credit card skimmer found on gas pump in Columbia

UPDATE, 5:48 P.M.: ABC 17 News talked to the Tiger Stop owner on Wednesday. He said the skimmer was found and given to Columbia police. He said most likely no personal banking information was taken because the thieves have to pick up the skimmer in order to upload the recorded banking data. In this case, Tiger Stop intervened by finding the skimmer and handing it over to authorities. He also wanted to make clear that only one pump was affected.

ORIGINAL STORY: Some Mid-Missourians may have had their debit or credit card information stolen when they swiped a card to gas up the car. Columbia police are investigating a credit card skimmer discovered at the Tiger Stop on Clark Lane.

Credit card skimmers are devices thieves can put on a gas pump or ATM to copy account information from the magnetic strip on the back of credit cards.

It is unclear whether police have a suspect or if any credit card information was stolen.

The Tiger Stop’s owner said employees check the pumps twice a day for credit card skimmers, once in the morning and then again in the evening.

He said the skimmer was probably on the pump for less than 24 hours.

Authorities encourage consumers to be vigilant and to inspect the card reader and the key pad. They said compare it to other pumps close by and if it looks different, do not use it.

“If you don’t feel comfortable using your card at a particular ATM or location, then I wouldn’t do it,” Detective Tom O’Sullivan with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said.

Experts said it is better to pick the credit option over the debit option when using gas pumps. That way, it’s more difficult for thieves to get a pin number.

ExxonMobile has an app for the iPhone and Android called Speed Pass Plus. With the app, a consumer can choose a pump at any ExxonMobile station and pay for gas without inserting a credit card.