You know those massive crowds at Costco gas pumps? Beware. My credit card was cloned there

[hlthe2b]

a few days ago (my "happy" Friday night phone call from the fraud division confirms) and Costco knows this has happened before. The throngs of cars are so long that there is no way to compare pumps for anything resembling changes to the credit card reader. And, as most of you know, you can not pay cash at their pumps.

So, you, say, just use apple pay on your iPhone or the similar feature on your android phone? Only a few COSTCOs can accept apple pay at the pumps. Also, it is not going to work without you first entering your membership card, which gets them halfway there. AND, unless your apple pay is connected to a VISA credit card, (not Master Card or any other) it won't work at all.

So, joy, I have to go stand in line at my credit union on Monday, get my card replaced, then try to get a list of every retailer with whom I've used the card for automatic payments and update their websites with new card info. Just what I wanted to do on my only day off.

So, beware. I guess the 10-20 cents/gallon I've been saving there is not such a bargain after all.

Somedays, I just can't get past the anger. First Roe, and now this.


On edit: I've never said this was ONLY a Costco Issue (I myself have experienced this three years ago at Safeway and I post about this in this thread) but they are a particular risk because they do not allow cash purchases and have throngs of cars/trucks blocking view of the usual one sole attendant so they would never see these skimmers being installed. Further, most of the warehouses do not allow third-party encrypted payment from apps like apple pay or the android equivalent, AND finally, note that this has happened before nationwide at multiple Costco--they have done little to address it. Their refusing to allow cash provides little means for the consumer to protect themselves. See my post #10 for some links to the 2021 episode with Costco if you still doubt me. I'm only trying to provide some warning to others. Choose to ignore or downplay the risk if you wish. I did not post this to argue. I'm dealing with the aftermath so feel free to think it is only "me" if you so desire. Caveat emptor.

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I had my bank card hacked a couple of years ago

And the very helpful bank guy I spoke to said that the most frequent place that this happens is at gas stations. I knew that wasn't the case for me since I always pay cash when I get gas - it's several cents-a-gallon less for cash at Sunoco where I go - but what he said stuck with me.

[hlthe2b]

3. I had happen before 3 yrs ago at Safeway and only used cash since, but given the high gas prices,

saving the 10-20cents/gallon at Costco was too tempting. Unfortunately, cash is not an option there. I actually thought Costco would be more vigilant, given this was documented in 2019 at one or more warehouses requiring Costco to notify affected customers. That there is zero option to pay with a more secure form than a credit/debit card is unbelievable. And given I have streamlined my credit cards to allow me more control, applying for a VISA to use apple pay at those COSTCO stations that are set up to accept it seems ridiculous. I intend to follow up with that warehouse manager, but it is all for naught I am sure. They are not about to staff those self-serve pumps with more workers to more closely observe, I doubt if they scan them at all that they do so more than weekly or at best once a day and the crowds are such that there is little opportunity for the individual to closely examine for evidence of tampering or a cloning device.

Chewing through the restraints as posted upstream... Yeah, that is how I feel today. I wake up every morning to check my BP--always low. Today it is elevated. sigh...

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Awww, geez! I am so sorry!

I've been there and it's scary as hell! I was really lucky that I found out right away - I'm thinking it had to be the car wash and I haven't used my card there since. And you're right, there really should be a cash option. I go to Sunoco since I get cents-off-a-gallon with my grocery store card, plus it's a few cents cheaper for cash. Seems like every gas station has some kind of discount option these days, both Speedway and Citgo are 10-cents-off a gallon with their respective cards - but I sure don't blame you for trying to save at Costco. The last time I got gas it cost me $66 - and I had 25-cents-off-a-gallon with my grocery store card, a few cents off for cash and I wasn't even on empty.

[2naSalit]

2. Reminds me of...

A sigline of a DUer a few years back:

"Some days it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints."

I wish I could remember who had that.

[hlthe2b]

4. Yup... that is how I feel. Increased BP this morning (usually low) so I've been "stewing..."

[Buns_of_Fire]

5. Sounds like Emo Philips.

ETA: Yep. A truly underappreciated philosopher of our time...
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/emo-philips-quotes

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. I did a google search on this issue and came up with nothing. Is this a Costco problem or

was it just a random event that affected you? Can you point me to a link where this is a nationwide issue? Thanks.

[hlthe2b]

10. It has happened before with Costco, but it is a wide problem with ATMs and outdoor gas pumps

Not sure what you googled, but there is extensive discussion on it. And this is the second time I've been hit (previously at outdoor Safeway pumps with attendant feet away), even though I'd switched to paying cash the past few years. But Costco doesn't accept cash. Here is a basic google search for the issue:

Watch out for card skimming at the gas pump | Consumer Advice
https://consumer.ftc.gov › consumer-alerts › 2018/08 › w...
Aug 7, 2018 — Here are a few tips to help you avoid a skimmer when you gas up: ... If your credit card has been compromised, report it to your bank or ...
Missing: cloned ‎| Must include: cloned
People also ask
Can someone steal your card information from a gas pump?
How are skimmers installed on gas pumps?
How do gas stations prevent credit card theft?
How did someone use my card at a gas station?
Feedback

You know those massive crowds at Costco gas pumps ...
https://www.democraticunderground.com › ...
6 hours ago · 1 post
Beware. My credit card was cloned there. a few days ago (my "happy" Friday night phone call from the fraud division confirms) and Costco knows ...

7 Ways to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud at Gas ...
https://www.mhbank.com › newsroom › 7-ways-to-prot...
By practicing these security measures before swiping a credit card at the gas pump, you can protect yourself from identify theft and credit card fraud.
Missing: Costco ‎| Must include: Costco

How to protect yourself from card skimming - CreditCards.com
https://www.creditcards.com › gas-pump-atm-skimmers
Mar 10, 2022 — Your eyes, fingers and now even your smartphone may be able to help you spot card skimmers at gas pumps and ATMs, but nothing is foolproof.
Missing: cloned ‎Costco

Costco Confirms: A Data Skimmer's Been Ripping Off Customers
https://threatpost.com › Breach
Nov 12, 2021 — “We recently discovered a payment card skimming device at a Costco warehouse you recently visited. Our member records indicate that you swiped ...

Costco customers complain of fraudulent charges before ...
https://www.zdnet.com › Innovation › Security
Nov 12, 2021 — Some said they began noticing the charges after using their card at Costco gas stations. "Noticed a fraudulent charge on my credit card, ...
Missing: cloned ‎| Must include: cloned

How to Protect Yourself Against Card Skimmers at Gas Stations
https://www.experian.com › blogs › ask-experian › ho...
Aug 7, 2019 — Credit card skimming involves thieves attaching devices on gas pumps, ATMs and other machines that read and gather your card information.
Missing: Costco ‎| Must include: Costco

How to Spot a Card Skimmer at Gas Pumps 2022
https://www.rd.com › Money › Scams
May 12, 2022 — If you think your card has been skimmed, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), both to protect others from being scammed ...
Missing: cloned ‎| Must include: cloned

Would using a contactless ('tap-and-go') method of paying by ...
https://www.quora.com › Would-using-a-contactless-tap-a...
This isn't true for most gas pumps. It does very, very little to prevent the staff at the gas station from grabbing (and selling) credit card numbers. Your real ...
4 answers
· 0 votes: Well yes, but I tell you a new security comes to play and the crooks figure how to get ...

Paying for Gas With Debit vs. Credit Card - Investopedia
https://www.investopedia.com › articles › investing › de...
Mar 2, 2022 — Debit cards allow you to pay for your gas immediately without any interest charges. A credit card offers additional protection at the pump ...

[Ferrets are Cool]

13. Thanks for the links. It does confirm that this isn't just a Costco issue.

You can get skimmed anywhere and I am not going to carry cash to pay for all my purchases. YMMV

[hlthe2b]

14. Again, I NEVER said it was only a Costco issue, but that Costco refusing to allow cash purchases

and the crowds of cars lined up like a truckstop to gas up makes them the perfect target for the installation of these skimmers. As I stated, I'd always used cash to purchase since a Thanksgiving day episode at a local Safeway gas pump resulted in the same thing and I got to spend a holiday weekend trying to deal with this. But cash is NOT an option at Costco and most have only one attendant for more than 20 pumps so they see nothing. ANYONE could install one of those skimmers in minutes hidden by the row after row of cars and trucks so that you would never know.

Not just Costco, but they are a particular risk and should have done things to address it, given their 2021 episodes (and likely several before).


On edit: I've never said this was ONLY a Costco Issue (I myself have experienced this three years ago at Safeway and I post about this in this thread) but they are a particular risk because they do not allow cash purchases and have throngs of cars/trucks blocking view of the usual one sole attendant so they would never see these skimmers being installed. Further, most of the warehouses do not allow third-party encrypted payment from apps like apple pay or the android equivalent, AND finally, note that this has happened before nationwide at multiple Costco--they have done little to address it. Their refusing to allow cash provides little means for the consumer to protect themselves. See my post #10 for some links to the 2021 episode with Costco if you still doubt me. I'm only trying to provide some warning to others. Choose to ignore or downplay the risk if you wish. I did not post this to argue. I'm dealing with the aftermath so feel free to think it is only "me" if you so desire. Caveat emptor.

[Ferrets are Cool]

15. This seems like a good article concerning what we can do to fight this

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-spot-and-avoid-credit-card-skimmers

Small devices called skimmers and the even more insidious shimmers can easily steal your credit and debit card information when you swipe. Here's how to protect yourself from these rare, but nasty, attacks.

[hlthe2b]

16. and none of that applies to my Costco issue for the reasons I outlined.

[Ferrets are Cool]

17. Does it have to or can I just post some good information for all to use?

[hlthe2b]

18. I already posted links to multiple articles just like that. The point of this thread is to educate

so feel free to post general articles, but the focus was on how Costco presents a particularly high risk and no one seems to be getting that. I only intended to warn others, but it seems to be met by intense skepticism or arguments. So be it. I tried.

[uponit7771]

8. Which state? Sounds rando and no a Costco isssue

[hlthe2b]

11. I never said it was ONLY a Costco issue. THe last time it happened to me it was outdoor Safeway

gas pumps. Please read through the thread as I've provided links to more info, but Costco HAS hat this happened before, has every opportunity for such skimmers to be installed because of the throngs of those lined up to fill up (and with few attendants watching) AND most importantly REFUSES to accept cash for gas.

I also went into great detail why Costco is at especial risk for this and provided two links from a previous 2021 mult-warehouse episode in one of the other posts on this thread.

[Amishman]

9. Someone installed a skimmer I bet

Always pay attention to the area of the pump around the card reader and look at the tamper seal on the pump. Takes just a glance once you know what looks normal.

If the seal is broken or something looks different, don't use it and notify an employee

Not Costco's fault, though super high volume gas stations like that are more likely to be targeted

[hlthe2b]

12. Yes. I spoke to this. Costco is so crowded with cars lined up that you can not spend extra time

nor compare pumps for any sign of a skimmer being installed. Their pumps are very much like the most crowded truck stop in peak summer vacation season. Discussed upstream in detail why this is an particular (though not unique) problem right now for Costco--who have had this happen previously at MULTIPLE warehouses throughout the country and SHOULD have addressed it. I linked to stories on this from several years ago. Yes, it can happen anywhere, but Costco has set us up for major risk in refusing to accept cash, having few attendants watching, not scanning their pumps for skimmers regularly, and not yet setting up to allow third party encrypted apps for payment (like apple pay) except at a few warehouses--and then only allowing this to occur if linked to a VISA, not other credit card or bank account.