Paying at the pump is incredibly convenient for drivers in a hurry, but it can also be an easy way to get scammed.
Criminals will scam people through a practice called skimming, in which devices are illegally installed at fuel pumps, ATMs and point-of-sale terminals to record cardholders’ PINS, the FBI states . With that data, criminals can create fake debit or credit cards and steal from people’s accounts. Such devices and methods are illegal in South Carolina.
But if you think being skimmed in the state is not something to be concerned about, think again.
FICO recently reported a 77% jump in the number of cards impacted in the first half of 2023 compared to a year earlier. The report found that 3,000 unique financial institutions were affected by a skimming attack in 2022. Also, US consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022.
What does a card skimmer look like?
Credit card skimmers are made to look like they’re part of the fuel pump, ATM or other retailer payment device they’re connected to, Capital One states. Some skimmers fit over the actual card reader but may appear more bulky. The Federal Trade Commission has images of different credit card skimmers here .