Credit Card Skimmer Found on Oak Creek Gas Station Fuel Pump

OAK CREEK, WI -- Employees at the Mobil Gas Station at 9510 S. 27th St. in Oak Creek reportedly located a credit card skimmer on one of their gas pumps.

Employees at the Mobil coned off the pump and then contacted police about the incident. Once on scene, an officer located a credit card skimmer inside of pump number 4's credit card compartment. Police took photographs in the capacity as an evidence tech, and took the skimmer as evidence.

Patch reported thata rash of card skimmers had hit the Milwaukee area and southeastern Wisconsin in late 2016. Here are some observations and tips for people.

Skimmers take one of two forms at gas dispensers:

• external devices — false card readers that fit over actual card reader on the pump
• internal devices — typically a communications cable with an in-line recording device that is run between the card reader and main board

While at the pump, consumers can protect themselves by:

• lightly wiggling the card reader on the pump. External skimmers may feel loose and come off.
• looking to see if any security seals have been broken on the dispenser cabinet. If you see any signs of tampering, tool marks or loose card readers, tell the store manager and do not use that pump.

For more information or to report possible skimmers, contact DATCP's Weights and Measures team at 608-224-4942 or via email: datcpweightsandmeasures@wi.gov. A fact sheet on card skimmers is available on the DATCP website.