Inspectors with Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture are again on the lookout for credit card skimmers. Inspectors have been monitoring gas pumps for skimmers for three years now.
Skimming is typically when a small electronic device is attached to a fuel pump to swipe and store hundreds of victims’ card numbers. Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles says a significant arrest occurred in 2017. “Last year for example, with collaboration of law enforcement, a crime syndicate based out of another state was apprehended and are now being prosecuted for multiple skimmers in Kentucky and other states,” said Quarles.
Quarles says there are 60,000 fuel pumps across the state. “With Kentucky having major interstates going through it. Unfortunately our state is a high profile state when it comes to catching skimmers. Just because the amount of traffic that goes through Kentucky’s roads,” noted Quarles.
Quarles says motorists should be watching for any tampering on gas pumps. He said that should be reported to attendants.? Signs of skimming to look for include components that look different from the credit card reader, a loose card reader, or broken security tape on pumps.