Why you found out about the card skimmer found at a Kamloops gas station two weeks later

KAMLOOPS – Local RCMP say it’s unclear whether any card information was compromised at the skimmer found in Valleyview nearly two weeks ago, but decided to inform the public of it yesterday, July 28, as a 'heads up.'

Const. Jason Epp, a spokesperson for the Kamloops detachment, says this type of fraud is ‘pretty rare’ in the city.

“It’s not a very common thing,” he says, adding the only other instance he can recall is when PIN pads were tracking credit card information at some stores a couple of years ago.

Epp says they issued the release to media to give the public a ‘heads up’ but investigators still think no card information was stolen. Those who went to the Chevron station at 1795 Trans-Canada Highway and used pump 8 before 11 a.m. on July 16 are encouraged to check bank statements.

Skimming is the practice of attaching a small matchbox-sized device to the inner circuitry of the credit and debit card holder and pin pad. The added wire cannot be detected with a blind eye. If installed correctly, the skimmer will capture the card’s data and its user’s PIN information. Thieves can then use the information to make online purchases, or manufacture their own matching card.

Gas pumps are regular targets for skimmers as fraudsters can discreetly install the device when the attendant isn’t looking.

Pre-paying for gas inside the station is a method to prevent skimming. If your information has been compromised in this case, contact your bank and Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.

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To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.