DES MOINES, Iowa – The Des Moines Police Department is warning the public about devices planted within gas pumps that can steal your credit and debit card information.
DMPD says credit card skimmers have been an issue in Des Moines for years, but a change in how scammers are using the devices is making it easier for them to go undetected.
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Sgt. Paul Parizek, Public Information Officer for the DMPD, said up until now, the majority of the devices have been external, meaning they sit on top of the keypad, capturing your sensitive financial information like the PIN and card number as you type it in.
“The devices that we recovered most recently, the consumer would have no idea that they were even there because they can’t see it. It’s deep inside the gas pump. The actual piece that takes your information has been installed inside the gas pump. Some of these criminals have figured out ways to get ahold of the keys that open up the gas pump. They’re able to insert that very quickly. Shut it, lock it, and you don’t even know. They’ll come back later, and they’ll get that information,” said Sgt. Parizek.
The skimming devices are often installed by transnational crime organizations passing through the area, according to police. They’ll return a few weeks after the device was installed to gather the stolen data, police said…