The Perry Police Department announced Thursday morning that two credit card skimming devices were located in Perry within the last week.
Both were placed internally within gasoline pumps at local gas stations, according to Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn.
The first device was discovered March 23 at the Kum and Go at 1219 First Ave., Vaughn said. It is unknown when the skimmer was placed inside the pump.
A second device was discovered Thursday morning at the other Kum and Go at 1115 141st St., sometimes called the Kum and Go south, at Iowa Highway 141 and County Road P58. Vaughn said the second device might have been in place since March 23.
“Thieves are opening the pumps to place these devices either by using stolen keys or by force,” Vaughn said. “When using credit or debit cards, check to make sure the security seal is in place. If it looks like it has been cut or tampered with or the locking mechanism is broken or doesn’t appear right, notify the store so they can check it out.”
Vaughn said if you detect a skimmer, do not touch it but notify law enforcement “so they can remove it to collect possible evidence and seize the reader. ”
Motorists should check their bank accounts for any fraudulent transactions occurring after using the fuel pumps at Kum & Go since the first of the year, Vaughn said. If a fraudulent charge is found, notify your bank or credit card company immediately and then notify police to make a report, he said.
“The information about the fraudulent charges may assist law enforcement in tracking and identifying suspects,” he said.
Vaughn recommended the public visit the GO Banking Rates website for safety tips in protecting yourself from skimming devices.
Vaughn said anyone discovering fraudulent transactions on their credit card accounts should call the Perry Police Department at 515-465-4636.
Previous cases of credit card skimmers were reported by ThePerryNews.com in February 2017 and December 2016. Both incidents occurred at the Kum and Go south on Iowa Highway 141.
