Drivers face several problems in today’s world. Car theft is a big one. However, people also have to worry about being scammed by card skimmers at the gas pump. This trend of criminal activity impacts many people, and now, one Nebraska man is facing several felonies after scamming people out of thousands of dollars. Luckily, there are ways to avoid these intrusive activities at gas station pumps. 

Gas pump card skimmers are on the rise

According to WOWT, an unnamed Omaha woman noticed discrepancies with her credit card in July. Specifically, after checking her statement, she learned someone had used her credit card on eleven occasions to buy large amounts of diesel at gas station pumps. They used the card to buy $2,065.13 worth of fuel. Of course, more people are aware of gas pump skimmers, so she reported the issue to the Douglas County Sheriff‘s Office a couple of months ago. 

Naturally, there was an investigation into the gas station pumps. After reviewing surveillance footage, the investigator learned that the same man was making all the transactions. However, he filled up two different trucks with fuel. Of course, it was clear that he was using gas pump skimmers to buy the fuel with the unnamed woman’s credit card information. Authorities learned that one truck was registered to someone named Rodriguez-Fraga. 

However, this woman isn’t the only victim of the issue with gas pump skimmers. On November 4th, they received a report from another woman. This time, someone had used her business credit card for 17 transactions at gas station pumps. The total came out to be $2,027.20. Upon checking the camera footage, investigators learned it was the same man from the other instances of scamming. The vehicle involved was also registered to Rodriguez-Fraga. 

Finally, authorities obtained a search warrant to investigate Rodriguez-Fraga’s residence. After searching, they found 43 Walmart cash cards, 11 blank debit cards, and a device used to decode banking information. He admitted to using gas station skimmers. The man recently went to court and is facing ten felonies, including forgery and unlawful use of a scanning device. He has a bond of $100,000, and he will also have another hearing in December. 

For more reading, check out this article about how to avoid being scammed at the gas pump.