[Big Mac]

Every time I pay for gas with a credit card, I spend a bit of time wondering precisely how thieves are able to place skimmers on the pay terminals without gaining access to the internals of the terminals. In order for the devices to operate, would not they need to be installed inside the terminals? And if that's the case, it stands to reason that the gas stations affected by skimming must be owned by thieves or at least employing thieves. I also do not know how a simple zip code, which most terminals now require in order to fight skimming, would hamper the skimming process. I used to be less disciplined, but I now use one particular, low-limit credit card for gas stations. The topic still bothers me, though, especially because I cannot quantify the risk without knowing more. Anyone have insight to the general logistics of it?

[Mr Kino]

would you please explain what skimming is?

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Mr Kino

would you please explain what skimming is?

Skimming is a way to collect credit card and debit card information. Thieves will set up a fake terminal face with a card reader. You swipe your card (and it doesn't work, of course) but the fake terminal just stores the information. The thief comes by and takes the skimmer home having collected 50 or so numbers.

Another method is very thin sheet of plastic that is put in an ATM machine. When you put your debit card in, the ATM machine will read back that the card is stuck and you need to go inside and get it (which, if it had really happened, you would do...) While you're inside, the thief then comes in and pulls the plastic sheet out along with your card.

[TETENAL]

http://www.utexas.edu/police/alerts/atm_scam/

[CheesePuff]

I work for Washington Mutual and one of the scams someone had going was to place a note on our drop box at our ATM's at night stating they need to use the one 5 feet down and it was just a cardboard box with a whole on the top. Yet people still used it and put checks and cash in there.

[production_coordinator]

Originally Posted by CheesePuff 2.0

I work for Washington Mutual and one of the scams someone had going was to place a note on our drop box at our ATM's at night stating they need to use the one 5 feet down and it was just a cardboard box with a whole on the top. Yet people still used it and put checks and cash in there.

ha ha... what fool would do that.

"Please drop your nightly deposits in the cardboard box below, and don't forget your wallet and car keys!"

[MrsLarry]

Originally Posted by CheesePuff 2.0

I work for Washington Mutual and one of the scams someone had going was to place a note on our drop box at our ATM's at night stating they need to use the one 5 feet down and it was just a cardboard box with a whole on the top. Yet people still used it and put checks and cash in there.

Oh, THAT is where my deposit went...

[FireWire]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

http://www.utexas.edu/police/alerts/atm_scam/

Wow! That's clever! I could even get fooled by this!

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I used to be less disciplined, but I now use one particular, low-limit credit card for gas stations.

That's a good idea! Depending where you live, you could even earn a few bonuses along the way: some companies give you some incentive when you buy gas with their card, sometimes extra "points". Or you could purchase a pre-paid card, that you buy once a month with your credit card, inside the store, where it is "supposed" to be safe.

[turtle777]

I'm not scared of being scammed on my credit cards, that money I'll get back easily.

But my ATM card and PIN, that's a tough one. Hard to proof that you didn't lose it and had you pin written on the back...

-t

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by FireWire

Wow! That's clever! I could even get fooled by this!

My friend got scammed by one of these. Ever since, I always look for seams around the card slot, and look for stuff that could contain a camera. I also "fake" push some digits while typing my PIN. I do this when using a debit card at a store checkout too (although I avoid using debit as much as possible).

[FireWire]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

I'm not scared of being scammed on my credit cards, that money I'll get back easily.

True! Most credit card companies now have a zero-liability policy in case of fraud.

Originally Posted by hayesk

I avoid using debit as much as possible

That's a good habit. Why pay per-transaction fees when you can get away with 0$ a month (granted that you don't overspend).

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by hayesk

My friend got scammed by one of these. Ever since, I always look for seams around the card slot, and look for stuff that could contain a camera. I also "fake" push some digits while typing my PIN. I do this when using a debit card at a store checkout too (although I avoid using debit as much as possible).

Seams? Hell, just try to yank the card scanner off the machine. If it is a fake front, then it'll come off fairly easy. Then give the middle finger to the keypad so the would be thief can see it, and call the police.

Wouldn't hurt to put an out of order sign on the machine, either.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by hayesk

(although I avoid using debit as much as possible).

Yeah, I do that, too.

For a different reason: you don't get any miles on your debit card purchases

-t