The Gilroy Police Department last week found a credit card scanning device planted at the Valero gas station on First Street. And just days later, Gilroy police and a county computer investigating team found two additional skimmers on gas pumps at the Chevron Gas Station, located at 7999 Westwood Drive in Gilroy.
Police from Gilroy as well as Morgan Hill are working to get the word out about the skimmers, and are offering advice on how to avoid being an unsuspecting victim.
Chevron and Valero gas stations are cooperating with investigators as they search for the approximate dates these skimmers were installed, according to police. At this time, it appears the skimmers have been on the pumps for no less than two weeks.
The skimmers have allowed thieves to go into people’s bank accounts and steal money.
Police are reminding people who have used their debit or credit card at either Valero Gas, 1190 First St. or Chevron Gas, 7999 Westwood Drive—both in Gilroy—to monitor their bank statements and card usage for unauthorized withdrawals or purchases.
Anyone who finds fraudulent charges on their account can contact the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350, or the Morgan Hill Police Department at (408) 779-2101. Officers note that due to the high volume of calls, your report may not be immediately taken, but your name and contact number will be retained for an officer to call you back in the next couple of days.
To prevent getting ripped off, police advised:
• Paying with cash would be the safest.
• Use a credit card instead of your ATM. That way they do not have access to your personal bank account.
MHPD Sgt. Carlos Guerrero also noted the department is testing a new mobile phone application known as Skimmer Scanner, that can identify illegal skimming devices located on gas station pumps. The app is currently only available for Android users.
“We are not necessarily promoting the app,” Guerrero said. “Our concern is for our residents to be aware of the issue.”
In the cases in Gilroy, the skimmers were essentially undetectable to the public because they were inside the gas pump. There were no obvious signs to look for, police said.
