Device used to steal your credit or debit card information found at local gas station

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A card skimmer was found at a the Chevron gas station on the corner of Hartley Bridge Road and Houston Road.

A skimmer is a device that steals your credit or debit card information.

A Department of Agriculture inspector found the skimmer inside of a pump at the gas station. The skimmer steals your debit or credit card information using Bluetooth.

Investigator Dennis Terry said he wants you to be alert when you pump your gas.

“And once they insert the pin number and the zip code that’s what triggers the device,” Terry said. “When someone is just maybe riding by, it’ll trigger the device and they’ll be able to steal your information from the skimmer.”

Terry said the skimmer was placed inside of the gas pump by someone using a key to open it.

“I could have this key. I can possibly give it to anyone. And anyone could use this one key to any gas station and have access to their gas pump,” he said.

Terry said someone can create a new credit card with your pin number and go on a shopping spree.

Chuck Oneal said he visits the Chevron gas station frequently, but this skimmer device won’t stop him from coming back.

“It can happen anywhere. I’ve talked to people and it’s happened in you know in all parts of Macon, Georgia and it just seems like it’s getting closer and closer to where I live,” Oneal said. “But yes I’ll still frequent this station, but I will go inside instead of pay at the pump now. ”

Terry said the skimmer was not found anywhere else in Macon. He said most skimmers are visible, so you can check for them.

“Kind of where you insert your card, just touch it, you know just grab the card inserter and just wiggle it and pull it, if it falls off then you know somethings wrong,” Terry said.

He said he wants you to be aware of the old and new techniques people will use to steal your information.

“It’s a lot of criminals out here and they have a lot of sophisticated devices now. Technology is on the rise so you have to just be aware whats going on,”

So keep your eye out for any suspicious so you can protect yourself from fraud.

According to a news release from the Department of Agriculture. 15 skimmers were found in Georgia.