By Don Riley/Network Indiana
11/23/2009
 A recent credit card theft under investigation by the Carmel Police Department involves the thief's use of a credit card skimmer at a gas station.
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Crime Stopper’s Elizabeth Pappas says a credit card skimmer is a device thieves place over a normal reader on a gas pump or an ATM. The device reads data from the magnetic strip on the card, giving thieves the information they need to commit their crimes.
Carmel Police Detective Brad Hedrick says similar crimes have been committed in Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, Lawrence and Indianapolis.
Skimming is often difficult for a card holder to detect at the time it occurs, since the skimming devices are so small or can be made unobtrusive.
To lessen the opportunity for skimmer fraud, CreditCards.com recommends going into the store to process transactions, and sign all credit card receipts. Check your statement as soon as it's available and report inconsistencies quickly.
If you do suspect skimming, call law enforcement immediately. Don't rely on the station attendant to report it for you.
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