Illegal card readers found at Bristol gas pumps

[hlthe2b]

1. This happened to me (cloned card from use at outside gas pump at a supermarket in "good" area)

two years ago on Thanksgiving. I was very very very fortunate that my credit union picked up on it and called me after my card was used all over the place that very evening. They helped me deal with the aftermath, but the lesson learned?

NEVER use a credit/debit card at even an "attended" pump. I spoke with the head of security at Target (one of the many retailers that had been accessed with my card) and they told me that even with an attendant sitting there 24/7 and the scanning machines they typically use DAILY at larger chain establishments to detect such alteration, that it is incredibly easy to insert a card chip-reader without being detected.

Pay cash directly to the attendant or let THEM swipe the card afterward in their little booth. I won't even use the ATM machine outside my bank or credit union now for the same reason. And, I am cautious about using cards in the self-check-out machines inside stores that don't have staff assigned to watch constantly.