Card Skimming Alert for Pierce County and Nearby Residents
Photo by: DeclanTM
Police are advising all those who made debit card payments at the ARCO Gas station at 11608 Meridian on South Hill, Pierce County in August last year to have their cards changed. They sounded the alert after more than 60 residents reported money stolen from their debit card bank accounts over the last couple of weeks.
By comparing account statements, police arrived at the conclusion that cards used at the above particular petrol pump in the said period are likely to have had their card numbers and PIN numbers stolen by a card skimmer at the gas station.
The fraudsters who committed the crime seem to have been a determined and cunning lot. They waited deliberately for a year to pass before stealing anything. This was to ensure there would be no video records of themselves at the gas station as records here are usually deleted after a year.
The timing of the illegitimate withdrawals from ATM’s by the fraudsters was also well thought out. By withdrawing on the 4th of July, a Friday, they gave themselves two days as it would be Monday until the scam was detected and the alarm sounded.
Card skimming devices are usually hand-held or they are small counter top instruments placed just out of sight of unfortunate card holders. The devices record card details like card number and PIN number which are later downloaded and recorded on blank magnetic cards for use in making ATM withdrawals.
People who suspect their card information to have been stolen are being advised to cancel their old cards and get a new card issued against their accounts.
As of now Police have reported receiving 60 complaints but they expect the number to go up further.
Source: KiroTV.com
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