ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Over the past few months, the news has been filled with incidents of payment card skimmers being found in dispenser payment terminals. Thieves are increasingly exploiting unprotected dispenser terminals to “skim” card data from customer payment cards used to purchase fuel. Retailers who have been victims of this crime face financial and brand damage, as their customers and their issuers seek to recover damages caused by these breaches. State regulators are also increasing inspections of dispenser terminals, while state legislators consider new laws aimed at requiring dispenser terminals be secure.

NACS has created a webpage to educate and help retailers better protect themselves from skimmers. In addition, on December 17, 3:30-4:30pm EST, NACS and Conexxus will host a timely webinar, free to all retailers, highlighting the processes and tools available to protect dispenser terminals from intrusion and skimmers. The webinar will be conducted by representatives from Gilbarco Veeder-Root, Wayne Fueling Systems and the NACS We Care program.

“Skimmers are a crime perpetrated against the retailer, to be certain,” said Gray Taylor, executive director of Conexxus. “But unlike other crimes, skimmers are also a crime against the retailers’ customers that takes place at the retailer’s location. The good news is that this risk is easily mitigated, if retailers follow some simple steps.”

Since 2011, the Conexxus (then PCATS) Data Security Committee has worked with major dispenser manufacturers to create a portfolio of resources that provide guidance for retailers seeking to reduce the risk of skimmers being installed on their fuel islands. Daily inspections of dispenser payment terminals sealed with serial numbered, tamper-evident tape are part of the tools retailers can use to keep their customers and businesses safe from skimmer thieves.

To join the December 17 webinar, click here and enter the webinar ID: 126-920-387.