Skimming Device, Meant to Steal Credit Card Info, Found at Riverhead Gas Station: Police

RIVERHEAD, NY: A skimming device, used to steal information from customers' credit cards, was found at a Riverhead gas station, police said.

According to Riverhead police, a call came in on Wednesday about a recovered skimming device at the Citgo gas station on Osborne Avenue in Riverhead.

A technician who was at the gas station servicing the gas pumps located a skimming device on one of the pumps, police said.

The device was installed in such a way that it was undetectable for a consumer purchasing gasoline, police said; the skimming device was set up to capture information from unknowing victims placing their credit or debit cards into the pump.

However, police said it appeared the device installed was not capable of wirelessly transmitting any information, and, since the device would have to be removed from the pump in order to retrieve any information, "It does not appear anyone’s personal information was compromised at this time," police said.

The Riverhead Police detective division was notified and responded and the device was removed from the gas pump and taken as evidence, police said.

All other pumps were checked and no additional devices were found, police said.

The investigation is ongoing. The Riverhead Police Department has asked the public to stay vigilant and continually check any credit card/bank statements for fraudulent activity.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will remain confidential.