NYPD: 3 Wanted In Card Skimming Incidents At Queens Gas Pumps
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The NYPD had a warning Tuesday night for anyone who uses a debit card while out shopping or filling up their car with gas.
As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, three suspects remained on the loose Tuesday evening in connection with 39 grand larcenies involving card readers at gas stations and banks in Flushing and Bayside, Queens.
Police said the trio installed card reading devices inside the pumps. That allowed them to create fake debit cards to make withdrawals from victims' bank accounts.
Those incidents occurred between June 21 and Sept. 23, and cost victims more than $50,000, police said.
Police said they're also looking for a pair of suspects in a series of ATM card skimming thefts across Brooklyn and Queens between April 16 and June 15.
Police say ATM skimming thefts have quadrupled in several neighborhoods in Queens.
Police warned everyone to be very careful, particularly when using debit cards at gas stations.
The NYPD has put up warnings at gas pumps in the affected areas of Queens. One simple precaution they advise people can take is to check for any loose or damaged plastic around the card reader, and even give it a tug before using it to makes sure no skimming device is attached.
But with fast-changing skimming technology, even that may not be enough.
"These days, skimmers are so sophisticated that they can fit them into readers without causing any damage at all," said NICE Actimize fraud expert Rivka Gerwitz.
The scamming technology is moving so fast that Gerwitz urges customers to discuss fraud protection plans with their banks and credit card companies, and consider using only the latest EMV or chip cards.
"There's no more magnetic strip -- which means there is no way to skim the information," Gerwitz said. "They hide your information and transfer it so that it can't be stolen."
But one gas station owner on Northern Boulevard in Flushing has a more low-tech solution to fight card skimmers -- humans.
"When a customer comes – it's a full service station -- we are immediately out here to pump the gas and to take the credit cards so, to prevent that from happening," said Nick Filakouris of Tony's Auto Service Selection.
But that will not help at a self-serve station.
Fraud experts advise that you should also check the area around ATMs you use for any sign of small hidden cameras that can be used to record your PIN.
Experts also say to try to cover your hand as you input your PIN number.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to CRIMES (274637) then enter TIP577.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
