Chattanooga Police find skimmers at two more local gas stations

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police report two new skimming devices found at local gas stations.

They were found at Mapco locations at 8604 Hickory Valley Road and 5500 Highway 153.

Skimming devices are used for ID theft by reading account information on your debit or credit cards.

But unlike the external devices, these were inside the pumps.

They transmit data via Bluetooth technology.

The devices were discovered last Wednesday.

CPD Fraud Officers offer this advice to avoid becoming a victim of skimmers:

• If anti-tampering seal is broken contact store management immediately and don’t use the machine
• Use debit cards as credit. Since credit option doesn’t require a PIN the purchaser has more protection.
• Cover the keys while entering your debit/credit password
• Monitor your account(s) daily online and report fraudulent transactions to your bank immediately
• Ask your financial institution to pair geolocation software with your card. This feature tracks location of both your card and phone.
• Make payment inside with cashier