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With the recent discovery of a credit card skimmer on a gas pump in Franklin, we asked the Franklin Police Department (FPD) for some tips on what people can do to protect themselves. Most of the time, skimmers use gas pumps. Sometimes they might try to put one on an ATM, but far and away gas pumps are the safest- for the criminal- to try to take over.
Here is what FPD Lt. Charles Warner had to say:
“It would have been impossible for a consumer to spot the skimmers recently discovered on the Murfreesboro Road gas pumps. Kudos to the employee who conducted the pump inspections. Had that not been done, the list of victims would have grown tremendously. Pay-at-the-pump customers should consider using a dedicated gas card with low purchasing power/credit limit. The use of debit cards for pay-at-the-pump purchases should be avoided, as those cards are tied to the consumer’s own money and personal accounts. The compromise of a debit card could be far more impactful. Credit accounts should be routinely checked to catch fraudulent purchases early on, allowing consumers to quickly shut down compromised cards – rendering them useless to bad guys.”
In addition to Lt. Warner’s advice, we compiled a short list of the best ways to keep yourself safe.
When in Doubt, Pay Inside
Paying at the pump with a card is, we admit, quicker. Like a lot quicker. But if you have a weird feeling, take a few extra minutes to pay inside. To totally eliminate the chance, also, you could simply just always pay with cash.
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