GLENDALE, Calif. – This week, law enforcement officials arrested seven people in connection with card skimming at gas pumps, the Glendale News-Press reports. The suspects used the stolen credit-card data to forge fake credit cards, which were then used to purchase gasoline.
Police discovered card skimming devices on numerous pumps, which captured data from thousands of customers. The thieves then used the “new” credit cards made with the stolen information to buy large quantities of gasoline, which they resold to unsuspecting truckers for half its value.
“The petroleum retailer was victimized twice with this scheme,” said Gray Taylor, PCATS executive director. “Skimming devices are planted within fuel dispensers to capture payment card information. This stolen cardholder data is then used by the fraudster to create counterfeit payment cards that are used to buy massive quantities of fuel for resale on the black market. When it’s all said and done, the petroleum retailer gets beat-up by the card issuers and brands for the cardholder data theft, and then runs the risk of getting a charge back for the fuel sale that was paid with a counterfeit card.”
Police have in custody Edgar Alaverdyan, Karen Nazaryan, Serob Yegoyan, Edvard Martirosyan, Levon Mkrtchian and Emil Morkus. Three others connected to the scheme—Hratch Keyo, Vachik Babayan and David Yezgatyan—are still at large. Prosecutors will charge the men in Los Angeles.
The WeCare decal is a tamper-evident label that can help retailers identify potential security breaches if skimming devices are inserted at fuel dispensers or other unattended PIN-entry devices. The labels can also help retailers address some of the PCI compliance mandates that are now required.
The security labels are to be used on fuel dispensers near the credit/debit card transaction area. If the label is lifted to insert a skimming device, a "void" message appears on the label, providing a visual alert to store employees so that additional action can be taken. Because the labels clearly indicate that they are to prevent tampering, the labels help assure customers that their data is secure, and discourage criminals targeting the store.
Protect your business and your customers — order the WeCare decals for your stores today.