Skimmer Summit offers tips to spot skimmers at gas pumps

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (WKRC) - Con artists are taking advantage of those who pay for gas at the pump.

They're using something called a "skimmer" to steal credit card information. But, there are some things people can do to avoid being a victim.

The Marathon at Union Center was one of two gas stations on Union Centre Boulevard targeted in recent months by skimmers. It was targeted because it's less than a mile from the interstate. Skimming has increased in recent months and the purpose of the Skimmer Summit was to help prevent people from being the next victim.

The Skimmer Summit attracted office holders, police officers, gas station owners and their customers. They learned that more and more skimmers were turning up at gas pumps in the area, stealing credit card information from customers. In November 2015, they were found at Marathon and BP stations on Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester. Butler County auditor Roger Reynolds said the scheme started with a universal key to gain access to the pumps.

Gill Singh works at a Marathon at Tylersville and Cincinnati Dayton Roads. He said once inside the pump, the skimmer is attached to the wiring. It takes no time for credit card information to be collected.

To be safe, customers were being advised to use cash or pay inside with a credit card. Do not use a debit card. Station owners should check their pumps several times a day to make sure there has been no tampering.

Gill Singh said there had been no skimming at any of his pumps but he checks them every hour. He's angry the skimmers are stealing.

Other advice was to use a pump close to the store or kiosk. Skimmers aren't likely to be hooked up to pumps within eyesight of a clerk. Authorities said in one Florida case, skimmers managed to collect enough credit card information to steal an estimated $15 million from customers.