North Dakotan’s May Want To Think Twice Before Using A Debt Cart At The Pump

One of the main reasons why it is not recommended to use your debit card at a gas station in North Dakota is due to skimming devices.

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Once the skimmer has been installed, the criminal just waits for you to visit the pump and swipe your card. The skimmer reads the credit card stripe and gathers your sensitive data, which allows them to use it to steal money from your account or make online purchases with your card information.

By using your debit card at a gas station, you are putting yourself at risk of having your personal and financial information stolen.

This makes it easier for criminals to tamper with card readers and install skimming devices without being noticed. Once your information has been compromised, it can be used to make unauthorized purchases or withdrawals from your bank account.

How Do You Protect Yourself Against Skimmers?

Some skimmers for gasoline pumps are impossible to detect, while others may leave telltale traces. To start, gently shake the credit card reader. Is it movable, or does it look like it doesn't belong anywhere?

Do not use it, and inform the management if this is the case. Other visible signs include an abnormal size, protrusion, reader damage, cracks, or lines that don't match up with the pump.

You can also check out other nearby pumps' card readers to see how yours stacks up. How similar are they? Because they attach to the credit card reader on the inside of the pump and are thus invisible from the outside, certain skimmers are hard to detect even after a thorough examination.

If you must use your debit card, consider going inside the store to pay rather than swiping it at the pump, where skimmers may be. Taking these precautions can help safeguard your personal and financial information from falling into the wrong hands.