Card Skimmers Found at Temple Gas Station

If you recently bought gas at the Exxon on Thornton Lane in Temple, keep an eye out for suspicious activity on your account.

Back on Friday, February 28, police were called to the gas station at 3002 Thornton after someone found credit card skimmers on three pumps.

Temple Police Department spokesman Chris Christoff reports that police currently have no leads in their investigation, but are advising anyone who used a credit or debit card to pay for gas at this location to monitor their bank accounts and contact their bank and authorities if they see any strange charges.

Christoff also offered some tips for protecting yourself from skimmers:

• Check the card reader, PIN pad, and the surrounding area for any signs of tampering. If something looks or feels unusual, report it immediately.
• Gently wiggle or pull on the card reader itself. A legitimate machine should not have any loose parts in this area.
• Pay inside the establishment or with cash when possible. If paying with a debit card at a gas pump, avoid entering your PIN by selecting the credit option instead.
• Keep a close watch over your bank account, and report any fraudulent activity as soon as possible.

Many gas stations will have colored tape or locking devices along the seams of their pumps. I always glance at those to see if they show any signs of having been broken or tampered with.

Police are asking anyone who may have helpful information in this case to contact the Temple Police Department at (254) 298-5500.

You can also reach out to Bell County Crime stoppers at (254) 526-TIPS (8477), bellcountycrimestoppers.com, or via the P3Tips app. You don't have to give Crime Stoppers your name, and a tip leading to an arrest and conviction could net a cash reward of up to $1,000..