Hi fellow MS, I did a gas shop yesterday and I saw a skimming device attached to the gas pump. On my evaluation form there was no comment section to address any additional information. I only had check boxes to mark. I'd like to report this, but I don't know how. Also, can I address the gas station itself? I don't want to break any MS rules. I wouldn't have to expose myself as a MS, but I seem to recall most MS companies don't want us complaining or commenting directly to any of their clients about visits we have as MS.

I would have told the attendant. It's not like they did it. Maybe they did? Attendant or the police. That's crazy. I have never seen one in real life.

Just take a quick review of the guidelines to see any indication on how to report. If not, just shoot a message / e-mail to the MSC indicating that "URGENT" in the subject line.

Me either, it was attached to the bottom of the pump near the gas nozzle. If you weren't paying attention you might swipe your card in the reader. The real device was up above by the gas price and total screen. The skimmer had a piece of paper wedged into it, so someone else discovered it before me.

@Tarantado wrote:

Just take a quick review of the guidelines to see any indication on how to report. If not, just shoot a message / e-mail to the MSC indicating that "URGENT" in the subject line.

Great idea, thanks! I just emailed the MS company about it.

Did you take a picture? Is there a place where you are supposed to upload pictures of "problem" areas? That would definitely qualify as being a problem.

Great job noticing, though. I've never seen one and probably wouldn't know how to identify it.

Something sounds fishy here as virtually all cases of skimmers at gas pumps involve the skimmer being installed either over or in the actual card reader that is on the pump. Not saying it couldn't, but just doesn't sound right.

I haven't seen one, but from descriptions I have read, they are usually located at the entrance of the real card reader, and when you insert your card, the real card reader still works so that you suspect nothing. Meanwhile, the skimmer has stored the information on your card. They are very hard to detect visually. The fact that you get your gasoline means that you suspect nothing.

I would have notified the attendant and/or called the police.

I wish I would have thought to take a picture of it. I was so worried about the two other photos required for the shop I didn't even think to take a photo. Plus i had a homeless man stalking me, wanted money. I almost left because I felt unsafe. I'll never do that location again! In fact, if I don't know the area I'm not taking a gas station shop again.

@kimmiemae wrote:

Did you take a picture? Is there a place where you are supposed to upload pictures of "problem" areas? That would definitely qualify as being a problem.

Great job noticing, though. I've never seen one and probably wouldn't know how to identify it.

Whenever there is potential for harm, I'm not going to take the time to read guidelines, email schedulers or wait for a report to get to a client. It's doubtful any MSC would invalidate a report or otherwise chastise a shopper for doing what is moral and ethical. And if they do, so be it. Karma is a you know what.

I didn't know such a device existed until opening this thread.

It was a huge device made of plastic, colorful and it was ONLY on this particular pump. The card swiper was installed to swipe the card down, I'm hoping I'm wrong and it wasn't a skimmer but it looked like a pretty sophisticated device someone could have constructed to fool you. It did not look like it was an old device on the pump as it was not on the other identical pumps at the station. This is why I thought it was a skimmer. Be careful at the gas stations!

I found an article which may help some of you. Usually the card skimmers are not color coded, but are the right, or almost the right, color so that they blend in: [www.pcmag.com]

Here are some images. They can be very sophisticated. The one described in a recent message by the OP sounds very unsophisticated and easy to detect. [www.google.com]

IMO you should have called the police immediately. Protecting others from potentially life-altering harm trumps a shop any time. You could even call anonymously if it makes you feel better; just call.

At this moment I am awaiting delivery of a replacement card from Chase bank. Their fraud division asked me about some charges being made with a physical card (fake) with my number and name out in Wisconsin on a day when I was using the card near DC. They explained that the info to make the fake was almost certainly lifted in a skimming operation. In addition, they explained that it is often months between when the information is lifted from the real card before the fake is released. This makes it particularly difficult to trace where the skimming took place.

There is a fascinating new series of articles by Brian Krebs about skimmers being put INSIDE ATM's in Mexico hotels in tourist areas. I found it all quite fascinating. First article here: [krebsonsecurity.com]

Wow. That shop went all kinds of wrong. Glad you are safe - that is the most important thing!

@CaDanceMom wrote:

Plus i had a homeless man stalking me, wanted money. I almost left because I felt unsafe. I'll never do that location again! In fact, if I don't know the area I'm not taking a gas station shop again.

Kim

I recently came upon a situation for a store shop where in my view there was potential harm to consumers, especially children and animals that do frequent the area of this strip mall where I was. I wasn't sure what I should do as I knew we need to not give ourselves away as shoppers. I chose for public safety to get the attention of a worker and show them the issue. I did call the MSC right after and what concerned me was their lack of concern for public safety. They were all about the shop report and how to complete it without issue. I even asked what would you do if you saw this and I asked that in the context of what should I do in the future. Again, it was all about the report and not the kids who could have been injured. So, my recommendation from now on is to report it anonymously to the store. In this case, I would have left -- gone across the street or something and then phoned and said I was there a while ago and I noticed what I think is a skimmer. That way, you have reported it for action and you don't have to leave your name and they have no way of knowing who called. Your conscience is clear and they can't identify you. I'm not for violating guidelines or anything, but there is a common sense and ethical stance here and public safety does come first. That's my opinion anyway.

Yep, that was big news in Denver yesterday. I better NOT have to get a new card b/c I have had at least 8 in the last 10 years here.. at least gas is reasonable here - about $2.38 unl where I live.

I paid $1.83 for gas in NJ this morning, and it looks like it is heading lower. This is actually causing me problems since $2 actually now buys more than a gallon gas and there is a finite limit to the capacity of my gas tank. $2.19 here in Pennsylvania, and roughly at the midpoint in northern Delaware. (The biggest problem in NJ is the legal requirement for full service - there is no rational way to hand an attendant a credit/debit/gift card and ask for only $2 of gas.)

@myst4au wrote:

I paid $1.83 for gas in NJ this morning, and it looks like it is heading lower. This is actually causing me problems since $2 actually now buys more than a gallon gas and there is a finite limit to the capacity of my gas tank. $2.19 here in Pennsylvania, and roughly at the midpoint in northern Delaware. (The biggest problem in NJ is the legal requirement for full service - there is no rational way to hand an attendant a credit/debit/gift card and ask for only $2 of gas.)

If I was trying to do that with a gift card, I would hand the attendant the card while saying "I think I have $2 left on this."

Alas, the first thing that happens when they scan the gift card is that it displays the balance left on the card, and then the game is up. I am going to work my way down to between $2 and $3 on a card and keep it - then your suggestion would work.

@CoffeeQueen wrote:

If I was trying to do that with a gift card, I would hand the attendant the card while saying "I think I have $2 left on this."

Not directly addressing the subject, but there was a news report recently about wiggling your card as you insert it in the reader. Supposedly, the movement makes it hard for the skimmer to get a clear reading of your card information. Couldn't hurt if you're suspicious about any type of card reader device.