FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – State officials confirmed that credit card skimmers used at gas pumps are found primarily in metro Detroit.
Inspectors believe that criminals are using large trucks to block surveillance cameras and from store employees while installing the skimmers, which can take less than a minute.
A skimmer was found Monday in Farmington Hills on 10 Mile Road. It’s the 44th skimmer state inspectors have uncovered since last August.
“It’s basically placed in between the normal card reader and the pump,” inspector Evan Crotty said.
The skimmers are bagged and photographed and sent to the FBI and Secret Service. They are easy to install, but incredibly hard to trace.
Authorities say it’s up to credit card users to keep an eye on credit card statements or to use the machines inside the store.
New chip technology will eventually put a huge dent in crimes like these, but it’s only a matter of time until criminals catch up with the latest technology.