Moraga Police Warn Of Skimming

LAMORINDA, CA — Moraga Police are investigating several reports of credit card fraud and are actively trying to find the source of suspected skimming. Police describe skimming as the use of an illegal device that is placed on or inside a credit card terminal and collects information from the magnetic strip on the card. Fraudulent credit cards are then created with the captured, or skimmed, information.

Police say the credit card numbers of local residents are being used in Southern California. In some cases, more than a month passed between the time victims last used their cards and the fraud took place.

Gas pumps are easy targets because they are unattended and easily accessible. Moraga Police officers have been working with local gas stations and are physically inspecting pumps for skimming devices.

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Police report that many local stations have alarms and devices on gas pumps to prevent tampering.

Moraga Police are working with other agencies on the investigation.

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Police are offering these tips to prevent becoming a victim of skimming:

• Go inside the business to pay or use cash
• Look around the area for hidden cameras or someone watching to get your pin
• Compare the card reader to the rest of the machine – it should fit properly, look similar and graphics should align and match
• Assess for signs of tampering – look for security tape and ensure it isn’t disturbed
• Nudge the card reader. Illicit devices are meant to be removed and may be loose
• Chip cards are harder to skim
• Monitor your accounts regularly
• Immediately report fraud to your credit card company or bank and to police

/Image via Shutterstock