In a bust revealing the persistent issue of high-tech theft at the gas pump, San Antonio police have nabbed a man allegedly installing credit card skimmers on gas pumps. The suspect, Alejandro Roman-Vivar, 37, faces charges related to the unlawful use of a criminal instrument, after his fingerprints were discovered on the back of illicit devices, as detailed by KSAT. The discovery came to light when a Quick Trip station customer interacted with a keypad that gave way, leading to a check that uncovered skimmers hidden on two pumps.
With skimming cases drastically expanding at a 368% increase from 2021 to 2022 and an ongoing upward trend in the first half of 2023, according to FICO, consumers find themselves having to be ever vigilant to protect their financial info. These skimmers, designed to fraudulently capture debit and credit card data along with PINs, have cost over $1 billion annually, estimates from the FBI suggest. Though skimmers can be notoriously difficult to spot, being often hidden within the wiring or employing Bluetooth technology to remotely transmit stolen information, there are preventive measures one might take to thwart these heists.
One defensive tactic is to examine the card reader for any abnormalities or signs of tampering – an ask by the Federal Trade Commission to consumers. Many gas stations implement security seals which should display a "void" message if tampered with. Furthermore, customers are advised to give the terminal a slight shake; a legitimate terminal should remain fixed, while a skimmer might rattle or come undone. These tips, among others provided by the FTC, are critical in these times where skimmer technology continuously evolves.
Additionally, hidden cameras pose another serious risk, sometimes planted within false fronts on machines, capable of capturing both card details and PINs. The FTC suggests consumers should always cover their hand when entering PIN codes, to avoid these sneaky cameras from grabbing your personal information. For those wary of skimmer threats, it's recommended to either pay inside or opt for pumps in clear view of station attendants, as skimmers are less likely to be installed where they can easily be spotted. As noted by KSAT, other practical steps include monitoring bank accounts for fraudulent activity and using debit cards as credit at the pump to prevent immediate withdrawals and keep PINs secure.
Meanwhile, Roman-Vivar has since been released from jail on a $5,000 bond and is awaiting indictment.
