A Cuban woman living in the United States took to TikTok to issue a warning to her followers after falling victim to a scam involving her bank card at a gas station. "I want to give you some advice: never insert your card at a gas pump," cautioned TikTok user @yaimaradiazperez0 in a video where she recounted her ordeal.
She described how, upon inserting her card into the pump, she heard an unusual noise and the transaction was declined. When she attempted again, the same issue occurred.
Shortly thereafter, she received a bank notification stating that her card had been blocked due to two suspicious transactions: one for $161 and another for $183, both conducted fraudulently. "I got a message from the bank saying my card was blocked because of two transactions," she explained. "You have to be very cautious; they're installing something that hacks your account," she added, referring to skimmers—devices criminals use to clone cards at gas station pumps.
She urged others to avoid using their cards directly at the pumps, advising instead to pay inside the establishment for added security.
This form of fraud has increasingly become more prevalent in U.S. gas stations, where scammers place devices that capture card information, granting them access to victims' bank accounts.
Understanding Gas Station Card Skimming
What is card skimming at gas stations?
Card skimming at gas stations involves criminals placing unauthorized devices on pumps to capture card information from unsuspecting customers.
How can you protect yourself from card skimming?
To protect yourself, avoid using your card at the pump. Instead, pay inside the store. Also, regularly monitor your bank statements for any suspicious activity.
What should you do if you suspect your card has been skimmed?
If you suspect card skimming, contact your bank immediately to block your card and report the suspicious transactions.