PLYMOUTH, Minn. - Plymouth Police are warning gas stations in the city and in surrounding communities about a possible credit card skimming ring.
"It's highly sophisticated," said Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein. "What we're doing is trying to be proactive with all of our gas stations to let them know about this so they can be more aware."
The warning follows the arrest of a couple from California, accused of installing devices inside gas pumps at Twin Cities stations and stealing credit card numbers. Authorities said there may have been other gas stations targeted.
"They can pick up the data without anyone's knowledge," said Goldstein. "They are typically installing these devices at night."
In order to ensure you're not a victim, authorities have advised the public to pay inside or pay with a credit card rather than a debit card.
"It's far easier to recover funds when a credit card is used versus a debit card," he says. "When you use a debit card the money is gone and out of the account."
Authorities say the arrest of the couple proves that criminals continue to use technology to steal personal information.
"It's the tip of the iceberg. Going forward, this is an area of explosive growth," says Goldstein.
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