Likely credit card scam at Sonoma gas stations

Credit card skimmers, illegally installed within the credit/debit slot to steal access information, have been found at two Sonoma gas stations. Deputies removed five of the devices from gas pumps at the Valero Gas Station and the Beacon station on Highway 12.

Officials said the skimmers might have been in in place and working since October 5. It appeared two credit card skimmers had already been removed before the others were discovered.

Thieves install skimmers within the gas pump pay slot. The unit then secretly stores credit card information. The data is later downloaded and  used for fraudulent credit activity or sold on the dark web.

Gas pump/ATM skimmers: how to spot them

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging customers who have used either gas station while paying at the pump with a credit or debit card to cancel their credit or debit card, and monitor their credit card statements and banking records for fraudulent activity.

If you are a customer of these two gas stations and you have located fraudulent activity after October 5th 2018 please call Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Investigations at 565-2185 and refer to case # 181011-023