MSHP warns of increased card skimming at gas pumps across the state, Columbia has not seen spike
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Division of Drug and Crime Control isurging people to take extra time to examine gas pumps prior to making a credit card payment.
MSHP has recently seen an influx in credit card skimmers throughout the state, according to a Nov. 15 post on X. Scammers can use the readers to steal credit card information.
Columbia Police Department Sgt. Chad Malsy said cases have not spiked in Columbia, but it is still important to be vigilant at the pumps and know what to look for.
“Most of the skimmers are designed to be low profile and hard to spot," Malsy said.
The appearance of the card reader is not always a giveaway, but it can be, Malsy said. The size and color of the card reader at a gas pump can be a sign something is not right.
"Any time the slot where your pump accepts the card is elongated, larger and bulkier, especially taller on one side than the other, a different color," Malsy said.
“Also if the device is loose," Malsy said. "If you can actually reach up and grab the part that protrudes from the machine where your card comes in and wiggle it.”
He said card readers should never feel loose or detachable. This could mean that a card skimmer has been inserted inside of the pump.
“They'll place a small hard to see camera somewhere on there to watch the keypad,” Malsy said.
Jeff Lenard, spokesperson for the National Association of Convenience Stores, said card skimmers are sometimes placed on pumps further away from the view of those working at a convenience store.
“Criminals generally try to find places to install skimmers where they don't think they're going to get caught," Lenard said. "So that usually means locations that are out of sight, out of mind from the clerk. So it might be the furthest ones away.”
He also said increased travel this holiday season does not necessarily mean there will be an increase in card skimmers. But it is important to keep a watchful eye while traveling and stopping at unfamiliar pumps.
“If there's any questions at all, just ask an attendant to come out there and look," Malsy said. "Or use your card inside, or use the tap to pay.”
