Hundreds Could Be Victims After Credit Card Skimmers Found At Gas Stations
PARKER, Colo. (CBS4) - Authorities in Douglas County are offering a $2,000 reward to catch an identity thief. The man targeted unsuspecting drivers at at least two gas stations.
Surveillance video from a Douglas County 7-Eleven shows the alleged criminal at work.
"We have the potential for hundreds of victims," said Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Teller.
The sheriff's office says from August through September the suspect installed credit card skimmers at numerous gas station pumps -- at least five at the 7-Eleven on Lincoln at Oswego in Englewood, and several more at a station located at Lincoln and Jordan in Parker (Aug. 26-29).
The skimmers look like regular gas pump card readers.
"When you swipe that credit card, all that personal information is getting off that credit card and into the hands of criminals," Teller told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
Teller says the store clerk noticed the suspect walking from pump to pump. After the man bought something inside he sprinted to his red SUV and disappeared. The clerk called police and the skimmers were discovered. Hundreds of customers may have had their information stolen, including Alisha Davis.
"It's a little scary," said Davis. "It really feels like a personal violation. Seems really simple ... that he could get away with so many times."
Teller says the new "chip" credit card can thwart identity thieves.
"Once you use the cards that information is no longer readable by the skimming devices," he said.
The card's integrated circuits make a unique one-time code at the time of a transaction -- a code that's impossible to replicate. Gas stations have two years to implement the chip technology at the pumps. After that they're liable for any credit card fraud.
Teller says, at least for now, chip credit cards can help keep identity thieves out of your wallet.
"We hope it puts them out of business. Unfortunately, they're probably looking for another way to steal your identity."
It is possible, Teller said, that investigators removed the skimmers before the suspects were able to retrieve stolen information, but it is not certain.
Contact your bank about receiving a chip card, and to check your account. If you have any information about the suspect, call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP. Callers can remain anonymous.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Follow Tom on Twitter @TomCBS4.