Overview

• Fraud experts including Paul Hampson advise drivers to skip chip-and-PIN payments at unattended pumps in favour of paying inside or using contactless, digital-wallet, or cash options.
• Skimming devices range from false-front card slots and hidden chips to miniature cameras and thin keypad overlays that capture card details and PINs.
• A 2022 FICO report cited in the coverage found a 759% year-on-year increase in card skimming in the United States, with petrol pumps emerging as a prime target.
• Petrol stations are vulnerable targets because pumps are often unsupervised and drivers can be distracted or in a rush.
• Experts say victims often feel embarrassed but stress that the fault lies with fraudsters and that these devices are frequently impossible for motorists to detect.