BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – Drivers in metro Detroit and across the state are getting ripped off at the pump… by credit card thieves.
The state of Michigan has its first influx of credit card skimmers on gas pumps. There have been 22 cases since August.
Scammers are unlocking gas pumps and are installing credit card skimmers from the inside. Every time someone slides their card, these criminals have the number.
The first skimmer was found by inspectors with the State Department of Agriculture in August.
The thieves hit a station when it's closed and are capable of attaching the skimmer in less than a minute.
"Any time a credit card is scanned, it records data – personal data from consumers," said Samantha Hartman, an inspector with the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
That means that each skimmer could have taken information of hundreds, potentially thousands, of victims.
"It just scares you," said Joseph Chase, a driver and patron of the Birmingham gas station that was recently hit. "We do a lot of work around here and our employees come here and we use this station multiples times a day."
The Department of Agriculture said the thieves are using the stolen numbers to buy prepaid Visas and Mastercards.
"We work for our money out here," Chase said. "And some guy comes along and he's going to get it in one swipe?"
Drivers should look to see if the screws seem out of place or if the security tape on the side of the pump has been broken.
"The best way to protect yourself is check your credit card and bank statements regularly," said Sean Maguire, an inspector with the Michigan Department of Agriculture. "If you see something suspicious, call the police."
So far, the FBI has made eight arrests.