Amanda Engel
WMAL.COM
The Arlington County Police Department is reminding people to stay alert for scams after removing a credit card skimmer from a gas pump at the Exxon station on the 4000 block of Old Dominion Drive.
Police recommend that anyone who has used the Exxon Gas Station in the in Arlington check their bank statements for fraudulent activity.
The Police Department also released the following tips for citizens to protect themselves against card skimmers located at gas stations:
– Skimming devices have become more sophisticated. In most cases, the skimmers are being placed inside the machine and are undetectable without opening the pumps.
– Pay inside at the gas station, rather than at the pump.
– Always pay using a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection, and the money is not deducted immediately from an account.
– If using a debit card at the pump, choose to run it as a credit card instead of putting a PIN number in. That way, the PIN number is safe.
– Consider purchasing a refillable prepaid card to purchase gas at the pumps.
– If you have not already switched to a chip reader on your credit card, do so.
– Regularly check your bank statements and if you notice fraudulent activity, notify the bank so they can begin an investigation.
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