Paying at the pump is quick and easy - but unfortunately, it's also a common target for scammers.

In 2023 alone, more than 315,000 cards were compromised through skimming attacks, affecting at least 3,500 financial institutions across the U.S. These types of scams now cost consumers and banks over $1 billion annually.

From old-school card skimmers to newer devices hidden inside EMV readers, gas station fraud tactics have become more advanced - and harder to spot. This guide will show you how to identify scams at the pump, protect your card, and respond if your information is ever compromised.

What Are Skimming and Shimming?

Criminals are using increasingly clever methods to steal card data:

• Skimming devices are installed over or inside the card reader to collect information from your card's magnetic stripe.
• Shimming devices are paper-thin and sit inside the reader to extract information from chip (EMV) cards.
• Some devices use Bluetooth technology to transmit stolen data wirelessly - scammers can retrieve your info from up to 100 yards away.
• Others use hidden cameras or overlay keypads to record PIN entries.

These tools are often invisible to the average person. According to the FBI, some skimmers can capture data from up to 100 cards per day.

How to Spot a Compromised Pump

Scammers tend to target the least visible or most isolated gas pumps. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce your risk:

Inspect the Card Reader

• Wiggle the card slot - if it's loose or looks different from nearby pumps, don't use it.
• Look for mismatched colors, sticky residue, or unusual bulkiness around the reader.
• Check for a broken security seal, or tamper-evident tape on the pump panel. Many gas stations use these seals to alert staff and customers to interference.

Choose a Safer Pump

• Use pumps that are closest to the gas station's entrance and in clear view of attendants.
• Isolated pumps further from the building are more likely to be tampered with.

Use Contactless or Mobile Payment

• Tap-to-pay options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay offer better protection through encryption.
• If you must insert a card, select "credit" instead of entering a debit PIN.

Block Your PIN

• Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Even if the pump looks normal, there could be a hidden camera.

What to Do If You're a Victim

If your card information is stolen or you notice suspicious charges, act quickly:

1. Contact your card issuer or financial institution immediately. They can freeze your card, issue a replacement, and investigate the charges.
2. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
3. Report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov - especially if you believe it's part of a larger operation.
4. Notify local law enforcement and provide details of the location and pump you used.
5. Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
6. Check your credit report and account activity frequently for any other signs of fraud.

How to Prevent Gas Pump Fraud in the Future

While no one can completely eliminate risk, these simple steps help protect your information:

• Use contactless payments or pay inside the gas station if the pump looks suspicious.
• Turn on transaction alerts for your debit and credit cards to catch fraud quickly.
• Review your statements regularly for unusual charges.
• Download an anti-skimming app to detect suspicious Bluetooth signals near the pump.
• Avoid pumps with broken seals or loose equipment.

Stay Vigilant and Stay Informed

Gas station scams have become more sophisticated but staying alert and proactive can go a long way toward protecting your finances. Whether you're using a debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet, a few extra seconds of caution can help you avoid becoming part of the growing skimming and shimming statistics.