The Better Business Bureau is offering tips on how to avoid credit card skimmers.
So far this year, identity theft has been reported in areas such as Barberton, Tallmadge, Norton and Wadsworth.
Just last week, police found a credit card skimmer at a gas station pump on Route 303 in Brunswick.
VISA and MasterCard had advised gas stations across the nation to upgrade their card readers by this year, but the required year has been moved to 2020 because of cost.
To avoid getting your credit card information taken, the BBB suggests you wiggle your card around the card slot. If it's loose, that's how you know there could be a problem.
The BBB also advises:
• Use credit cards, not debit cards, on gas pumps. Credit card companies typically send out alerts when detecting fraud.
• Look for off color terminals attachments and devices that aren’t flush with the machine. Look at the surrounding pumps to make sure they look alike.
• Pay inside and use a chip reader if possible.
• Monitor your bank statements. Contact your credit card issuer to place a fraud alert on your card if you see unusual activity.
• Report credit card skimmer incidents to your local law enforcement agency orBBB’s ScamTracker.
