Gas retailers and bankers are concerned about thieves stealing credit card data using tiny cameras on gas pumps and ATMs. Watch video
Gas retailers and bankers are concerned about thieves using tiny cameras on ATMs and gas pumps to steal credit card information. NEW BRUNSWICK -- Representatives of gas retailers and the banking industry said there is a cause for concern in the rising number of "skimmers" being found on gas pumps and ATMs, not just in Middlesex County, but also in the state.
Earlier Monday, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey issued a warning to residents that using their credit and debit cards at automated teller machines (ATMs) to withdraw cash could risk the possibility the information on those cards is stolen.
Carey said thieves place tiny cameras, also known as "skimmers" over the card-reading cameras of legitimate ATMs, and are able to secretly record credit and debit card numbers and users' PINs.
Carey said there have also been skimmers found on gas pumps at gas stations.
Sal Risalvato, executive director of the N.J. Gas Retailers Association, said Carey's warning is accurate.
"There is way too much of a problem with ATM's and there has been a problem with skimmers at gas pumps," Risalvato said.
He said everyone is working on trying to solve the problem.
John McQueeny, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Bankers Association, said banks have been trying to confront the increasing amount of fraud as well.
"When fraud occurs, the banks are liable," McQueeny said.
He said he has heard anecdotally from his members that there has been an uptick in the number of cases of fraud using skimmers at ATM's.
"Banks are alerting their customers, not only with tips on how to protect their financial information, but also their physical safety when they are withdrawing cash from an ATM," he said. "It is in everyone's best interest to work together and deal with this problem."
Carey said in his press release in addition to blocking out outsiders' views of ATM keyboards, individuals using ATMs are advised to avoid unfamiliar ATMs and refrain from using ATMs that are not well-supervised, such as those located in the rear of convenience stores, or ATMs with sidewalk access outside of banks.
ATM users are also warned to avoid paying for gasoline with credit cards or, if they want to pay with a credit card, swipe the card quickly, and don't leave it in the pump while vehicles are being filled with gas.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.