Credit-card numbers siphoned at gas pump

Thieves used skimming devices attached to payment machines at a Newport Beach gas station to steal credit and debit card numbers, ripping off at least nine customers, authorities said Friday.

Police speculate that the devices were placed on the pump pay stations at the Exxon gas station at 3401 Newport Blvd. some time last week, authorities said. The thieves captured scores of credit and debit card information, including card numbers and Personal Identification Numbers, police said. Investigators say there may be many more victims.

The pilfered information was then copied onto fraudulent cards and used to withdraw cash from various locations in Los Angeles County, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Each time funds were withdrawn from the victim’s checking or savings account through an ATM machine, Sailor said. All the victims reported their losses after purchasing gasoline at the same gas station on the Balboa Peninsula.

The Newport Boulevard Exxon has put extra security measures in action to ensure that the pumps are not compromised again, said Quang Tran, a station clerk.

“What we do is try to check the pump every day, open it up, check inside, check if there are any foreign devices and then we turn them off at 10 at night,” Tran said.

This is the first time Tran has seen anything like this happen since he started working at the station three years ago, he said.

Police offer these tips to drivers when filling up at the pump:

 Check credit payment machines for loose attachments or suspicious keypad covers; oftentimes the pieces are attached only by tape, authorities said.

 Credit cards are safer to use at outside pay pumps, police said. Debit cards give thieves direct access to a checking account as transactions require a PIN, Sailor said.

  If possible, sign all credit card transactions

 Do not leave receipts behind.

 Frequently review all financial records; online banking makes this simple to do on a daily basis.

“We’re putting it out there so that people check their credit and debit cards to make sure they haven’t become a victim,” Sailor said, adding that the device most likely swiped scores of card numbers in that time.

Police ask that anyone who may have purchased gas, or know someone who did, during the week of Jan. 6 at that Exxon review their financial records for any unauthorized withdrawals.

Those who find suspicious transactions should contact their bank and ask to immediately close their accounts, Sailor said. Also contact Newport Beach police to report the crime at (800) 550-NBPD, or (949) 644-3798.

For information on identity theft and credit fraud, visit the Newport Beach Police online.

KELLY STRODL may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].