TERRELL, Texas — Police have located two more skimming devices at local service stations in Kaufman County after one was reported in recent weeks in Forney.
TERRELL, Texas — Police have located two more skimming devices at local service stations in Kaufman County after one was reported in recent weeks in Forney.
The latest, according to Terrell Police Department Captain A.D. Sansom, was located early Tuesday morning, October 4, 2016, at the Tiger Mart 30 at 1100 Farm-to-Market (FM) 148.
The service vendor who discovered the device also reported the recent discovery of a skimming device at the Exxon station in Talty, Texas, according to Sansom.
The service vendor, an employee of Victron Energy, told police the device was located between the credit card reader and the pump’s harness which made it not visible to consumers.
No other devices were found at this location, according to Sansom. The skimmer device has been taken into evidence.
“[The service vendor] advised the pump had been serviced within the last month by Victron Energy and there was no skimmer in place at that time,” stated Sansom.
A representative of the service station tells inForney.com every pump was checked following the discovery of the skimming device and employee training and new inspection protocols have been put in place.
"We take pride in our community and our store's clientele is mainly based on the Terrell community and we will do anything and everything to make sure our customers are safe and secure every time they stop by and make a purchase," stated the representative.
“Consumers need to pay special attention their bills during the last few months or so if you purchased gas at either location and report suspicious transactions,” stated Sansom.
Additionally, Sansom says business owners should have their pumps serviced immediately to insure no unauthorized devices are present and report any discoveries of skimming devices to local authorities.
In the Forney incident, a similar device was located last month within a pump at the Exxon Settler’s gas station on Pinson Road by a service technician. The device was removed and the case was turned over to the Secret Service which often investigates such crimes.
Industry professionals say service stations which are not monitored 24/7 are more susceptible to tampering due to the fact the pumps are not monitored at all times.
