Skimmers target gas pumps, ATMs

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Lillian Tubb got a Christmas surprise that wasn't so merry.

"I had checked my account balance and it was negative $415.21," Tubb said.

Tubb said she knew that wasn't right, so she called her bank.

"They said my account had been - someone had used my debit card on Wednesday night at a Citibank ATM. I don't even know where a citibank ATM is," Tubb said.

Tubb said the bank employee then told her about skimming. Tubb said her last transaction was at a local gas station before the money disappeared, and that's where it most likely happened.

"She said there's a scam going around, that someone is putting something on the side of gas pumps that looks like a sticker and when you use your card it automatically gets your info," Tubb said.

Luckily for Tubb, her money is going to be reimbursed, but she's going to have to carefully watch to make sure nothing else was compromised. Information from the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection says it is sometimes impossible to know if a skimming device is installed. While some skimming devices can fit on the outside of gas pumps, more often scammers break into the pumps and install their skimming electronics inside.

Skimmers have also been known to target ATMs not located on bank property. Tubb said the incident has made her more cautious of using her debit card.

"Be very, very careful. From now on, pay cash," Tubb said.

Earlier this week, Gulf Shores Police arrested a Silverhill man for placing a skimming device on an ATM in Gulf Shores. When the suspect came to retreive his homemade device, police were waiting. That investigation is ongoing.

There are some things you can do to protect yourself against skimming.
First, pay inside if you can. Some skimming devices are installed inside the gas pumps, so there's no way you'd know you're getting scammed until it's too late.

Secondly, don't type in your pin at the pump. If you have to use your debit card, choose to use it as a "credit" card instead. Also, stick with ATMs at banks. Even though those machines are not fraud-proof, they are much less likely to be targeted by skimmers.

Finally, always call police before you call your bank. If you file a police report promptly, you'll have a better chance of getting your money back and police can start tracking down the scammers.