Michigan Cracking Down On Credit Card Skimmers

According to a press release, in an effort to protect consumers and stop criminals trying to steal consumers’ credit card information at gas pumps, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development launched a two-week intensive blitz to locate and remove credit card skimming devices.

During the two-week blitz, which took MDARD’s Weights and Measures inspectors from Grand Rapids to Saginaw to Lansing to Detroit and Traverse City, nine credit card skimming devices were removed and confiscated by the department, in addition to the two removed by a local police department and one by a station owner. The devices are turned over to the U.S. Secret Service for investigation.

These credit card skimmers can’t be seen outside the pump. They are located inside where the devices make a copy of the consumer’s card information.

“Bottom line, this is fraud. This is stealing someone’s personal information for criminal use. These inspections are just another way MDARD is protecting Michigan consumers at the pump,” said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director. “Through the collaborative efforts with the Michigan Petroleum Association, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement, we’re letting these criminals know Michigan is not open for business. We will continue looking for skimmers with every pump inspection.”

The Michigan Petroleum Association and MDARD have been working with station owners to help them better identify skimmers inside the pumps and provide tips on how they can also help protect their patrons.

“We are urging our members to increase their dispenser inspections, and to be more aware about these attacks” said Mark Griffin, MPA President.  “If we all work together; consumers, law enforcement, and business, we can stop this from happening.”

MDARD and MPA are offering these consumer tips to protect themselves at the pump: