WACO, Texas — The Waco Police Department is warning drivers to be alert while filling up their cars with gas after multiple Waco stations reported card skimmers hidden inside multiple gas pumps.
The first skimmers were found on August 20 at a gas station on Waco Drive. Less than one week later, another skimmer was uncovered at the My Stop Convenience Store on Valley Mills Drive.
The two skimmers were built differently, and officers say they are unsure if the two are related.
"Typically the person that is doing that may have done it months before it got caught, may have done it weeks before the skimmer itself got caught," Waco PD Public Information Officer Garen Bynum said.
Officer Bynum described using skimmers as a "faceless crime," saying the perpetrator is often miles away when the crime is committed.
"There is someone that is taking your information, credit card information, valuable personal information and using it at a later time when you may never even know about it," he said.
Niki Villa has served as a gas station attendant for more than five years. She walks around and checks pumps every day to make sure they have not been tampered with.
"There's criminals everywhere, and they're always trying to get new ways to steal your money," Villa said. "So, like I said, just take precautions."
According to Officer Bynum, one way to protect yourself from being impacted by skimmers is to check the seal on the pump. If it is broken or wrinkled, you may be at risk.
"It's just a little something we can pay attention to while we're trying to fill up our cars and do what we do every day," he said.
To best protect yourself from skimmers, both Officer Bynum and Villa suggest going inside to pay for your gas at the counter. Doing so completely bypasses any risk seen at the pump.
"I never pay at the pump because I've always heard about the skimmers," Villa said. "I always encourage people to come inside and pay."
If you think you may be a victim as the result of a skimmer, Waco PD urges you to contact your bank and check your records. If you see unusual activity, contact the police.
