Jan. 28—HARLINGEN — Check the fuel pump before filling up the gas tank.
In Harlingen, more thieves are installing credit card reading devices as part of schemes to steal account numbers, Sgt. Larry Moore said Friday.
Now, police are investigating three cases in which thieves installed credit card skimmers at convenience store fuel pumps, he said.
“It’s showing up more and more,” Moore said, adding the scam is spreading across parts of Houston. “It seems to be picking up pace down here a lot more.”
Officials are also urging residents to use bank ATM machines, warning them about machines in stores, restaurants and bars.
“Try to only use official bank ATMs instead of non-bank ATMs that are often found inside convenience stores or bars,” officials stated in a press release.
Since last month, thieves have installed credit card skimmers on fuel pumps at three Valero fuel pumps outside Stripes convenience stores, Moore said.
On Dec. 19, a Stripes store at 1800 Tyler Ave. reported finding a skimmer on a fuel pump, he said.
Then on Jan. 17, a maintenance worker at the same Stripes store reported discovering a skimmer on a gas pump after finding evidence of tampering at five other pumps, officials stated.
Two days later, a Stripes store at 3200 E. Harrison Ave. reported a skimmer on pump No. 7, officials stated, adding on Jan. 11 the store requested a technician inspect its fuel pumps after the discovery of a broken pump seal.
“Gas pumps should have a security tape or sticker over the…
