Iowa, Pay Close Attention To The Gas Pumps You’re Using

Road trip season is coming up and thieves are ready for you.

We love to travel but the unfortunate part of that is that it costs money. Before a trip we have to fill up the car and sometimes go by the ATM to get some cash for the trip.

But how many of us pull up or walk up to an ATM, put in our debit cards, and make a withdrawal without a second thought? Or when we're getting gas on the road, we just swipe our card automatically?

You might want to hit pause for a minute next time.

Look For A Specific Feature On The Machine

Card skimming is not a new scam. It's a common way for thieves to get your credit card or bank account info when you're least expecting it: at an ATM, gas pump, point of purchase, or anywhere you scan your cards.

Luckily, there are some things you can look for on devices that might tip you off on if there's a skimmer on it.

What's the difference between these two pictures of the same ATM machine?

The scanner on the right is bulkier. It's the one that has a skimmer on it. Experts say that oftentimes, a card reader will look bigger if it has a skimmer installed.

Same thing on this ATM:

So it's not too hard to spot what might be a skimmer. Look for a few things when you go to places like an ATM or gas pump:

• Tape or glue residue somewhere on it
• Any kind of wire or anything hanging off the device
• Wiggle the card slot to see if anything slips off

Forbes says that skimming devices can also include a tiny camera installed above the keypad (conveniently where you type in your PIN). Or the PIN pad may itself be the skimming tool:

The FTC says that for gas pumps, most of them should have a security seal over the panel. If that looks like it's been tampered with, don't use that pump. If the panel has been opened, it will often be stamped with a 'void' label, like this:

The FTC recommends that if you're nervous about card skimmers at the gas pump, pay inside instead.

Experts also say that when you plug in your PIN number on a PIN pad, use your other hand to cover it up. That way, if a camera is situated above the pad, thieves can't see your PIN.

A good idea when you're on road trips this summer and getting gas is to keep an eye on your bank account and credit card balance. Obviously it's a good idea to track your own spending, but if you think your card has been compromised, report it to your card company immediately.