(WAND) – Federal investigators are cracking down on credit card data theft at gas pumps.
“Operation Deep Impact” is a U.S. Secret Service initiative in which special agents search gas station pumps for skimmers – devices that can be easily attached to where a person inserts their credit card, giving criminals access to stolen card information. So far, the Thanksgiving search for skimmers resulted in close to 200 found across 16 states. Investigators searched more than 400 gas stations.
Work to find skimmers is expected to continue “throughout the holiday”, a Secret Service press release says.
“So far, the Thanksgiving initiative has prevented an estimated $6 million in losses to consumers,” the release adds. “Previous initiatives took place before Independence Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day.”
Finding the people responsible for placing skimmers is difficult, investigators say, because it isn’t hard for them to take the data without detection. Pumps across the U.S. are often left unattended, and the Secret Service estimates 54 million Americans are traveling over the holiday weekend.
Investigators say they’ve sent information about how to find and handle skimmers to law enforcement nationwide. Using a skimming device can lead to prison time and heavy fines, the Secret Service says.
More information on how to handle credit card fraud can be found here. Scroll down to "Protecting Yourself" at the link for details.
