There are some huge problems with credit card theft at gas stations recently.
These aren't issues with people physically taking the cards from you, but using technology to steal your card number and pin numbers.
Find out how this is happening and how to protect yourself.
How does this happen to you? There are criminals who add strips to the pump where you swipe your card.
These will read your credit card numbers as it scans it.
They keypads on many pumps are altered as well to measure the keystrokes made on them meaning the pin numbers can be stolen as well.
This happens everyday and people aren't even aware that it is happening to them.
What can you do to prevent this problem? If you want to avoid having your credit card number stolen at the pump, just go inside and pay with your card.
This guarantees that it won't be happening to you outside at the pump.
Look at the pump before you use the card function on it.
Does everything look right? Does the scanner look a bit larger than normal? Does it look tampered with? If so, tell the cashier in the store and do not use your credit card with that pump.
Typically these devices are installed on the pumps that are out of the view of the cashier.
The reason is that they are easier to install in places less likely to be caught.
Using the pumps closest to the station within view of the cashier are more likely to not be tampered with at all.
Be sure that you are always monitoring your card purchases carefully.
View your statement looking for anything that is out of place.
It's very common to have issues with credit cards whether it's from stolen numbers at a gas pump or other forms of identity or card theft.