Nearly Undetectable Card Skimmer Seized At SoCal Gas Station

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Garden Grove police have seized an illegal card skimmer from a gas station that was almost impossible to detect.

The skimmer was attached to a gas pump reader and PIN pad at an ARCO station in the 13500 block of Euclid Street in Garden Grove, the Garden Grove Police Department said.

The device was almost identical to the real card reader behind it.

It was not immediately known how long the skimmer has been attached and how many drivers were victimized.

According to the FBI, card skimming costs consumers and banking institutions more than $1 billion each year. The scam works through installed devices on ATMs, gas pumps or point-of-sale terminals that steal your card information when swiping.

Residents can avoid becoming victims by:

• Being aware of your surroundings, and (people) shoulder surfing.
• Checking the device for tampering, before using it.
• Using one hand to cover the other hand, if you enter your pin.
• Checking your bank statement regularly.