State confiscates gas pump card skimmers

LANSING — State officials and others have confiscated a dozen credit card skimming devices that were hidden in gas pumps around the state.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, which regulates gas pumps, said in a news release that inspectors went on a two-week, statewide blitz after hearing about an increased use of the illegal devices, which are secreted inside gas pumps and download credit card information when motorists pay at the pump. The department turned nine devices over to the U.S. Secret Service for investigation, the release said. Two other devices were removed by a local police department and one was removed by a gas station owner during the blitz, the department said.

The devices were found in Grand Ledge, Belmont, Perry, Owosso, Byron Center, Flint, Alto and Grand Rapids, MDARD spokeswoman Jennifer Holton said.

Holton it isn’t always clear how the devices get inside the pumps. She said the pumps use relatively universal keys and the news release said thieves tend to target pumps farthest away from the gas station doors.

Earlier this month, the Grand Rapids Press reported five people with ties to Miami were arrested in a gas-pump skimming scheme in the Grand Rapids area.

The devices can’t be seen from outside the pump, MDARD said. The department is working with the Michigan Petroleum Association to educate gas station owners, and the department advises motorists to use pumps that are closer to the store and to monitor their credit card activity.