Before you grab that pump, be aware a scammer could get your ATM number, password and zip code.“It's kind of scary, I've heard about it but then when you hear about it when it hits close to where you live, you're a little more worried about it,” said Lester Rodgers, Madera Resident.
More than 50 gas station customers in Madera County alone have already been victimized. It's called skimming and it's becoming more popular but you the customer getting gas, has no clue it's even going on. The gas station doesn't know it's going on either, and typically the scammer will do the operation in the middle of the night by placing a skimming device inside the pump that reads all your personal information.
“They could do it today and not come back for 8 or 9 months it just depends on how many they have and what their instructions are and what they want to do,” said Dustin Dodd, Computer Forensic Examiner.
Right now officials believe the skimming operation in Madera County happened at the Shell gas station in the Madera Ranchos where personal information was taken from drivers getting gas between August 30th and September 10th.
“Apparently these folks have worked their way through the valley, we've got reports the same scam was being done in Tulare County and Fresno County,” said John Anderson, Madera County Sheriff.
Some tips to be mindful of, when pumping gas, if you notice the gas pump looks like it's been damaged, go to another pump. Always try to pay for gas with cash, and always check your bank statements as often as possible.
