Vancouver police have recovered an illegal credit card skimming device from a convenience store gas pump, and are warning customers to be aware their credit or debit card information may have been stolen.
The device was recovered Monday afternoon from a gas pump at the 7-Eleven store at 5600 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., according to a police news release.
An employee was servicing pump No. 1 and discovered the device, which is used by thieves to intercept card information. This skimming device was plugged into the wiring behind the panel of the pump and was invisible to customers.
It would not impact a customer’s ability to complete a transaction to purchase gas, though it would grab and store their card information.
The skimmer was seized as evidence and an investigator from the Vancouver Police Digital Evidence Crime Unit will examine it.
Police don’t know how long the device was on the pump or if any intercepted card information was downloaded by the the person who placed it there.
The other gas pumps were checked and no other devices were found.
Anyone who used pump No. 1 over the past few months should check his or her credit/debit card statement for any unauthorized charges. Victims should notify the Vancouver Police Department and also the card issuer.
According to the news release, these types of devices are becoming more common. Merchants with gas pumps, as well as banks and other retail merchants, should be diligent in the oversight and maintenance of any card-reading machine that could be tapped.
