Skimmers Hit Hess Stations; Customers' Info Compromised
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – If you fill up your tank at a Hess gas station, you will want to pay extra close attention to your bank accounts.
Hess announced Friday that there have been numerous attempts to steal credit and debit card customers' information using "skimmer" devices.
The attempts have been made over the past few months.
Criminals have allegedly tampered with gas pumps and placed devices into their internal mechanisms to try to illegally intercept and record customer credit and debit card information as the cards are swiped at the pump.
Hess has notified law enforcement and has already increased security measures to stop the activity.
Hess has also attempted to contact potential victims and released a list of stations where information has been compromised.
The information that is at risk is data contained in the magnetic strip which includes names, account numbers and expiration dates.
Hess reports it does not store payment card account numbers on its systems, and these incidents did not involve hacking into Hess systems.
Hess advised:
- Carefully review credit and debit card statements for unauthorized charges or debits and immediately report any suspicious ones to the card issuer.
- Be on the lookout for any calls or letters from retailers or creditors regarding merchandise or services not ordered.
- Report any missing credit and debit card statements to the card issuer immediately.
Customers can also contact their card issuer to alert them that their information may have been vulnerable so the card issuer can be vigilant in monitoring for any unusual charges.
A customer information line has been set up (1-866-849-2790) to answer any questions customers may have.
Hess will also provide, free of charge, AllClear ID's Identity Repair™ service to any customers who suspect there may be fraudulent activity on their payment card account as a result of paying at one of the pumps listed in the days leading up to the date and time indicated.
The list of incidents is as follows:
- 5019 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (February 20, 2014, at approx. 3 pm in pump 3)
- 4 N. Indian Rocks Rd., Largo (February 20, 2014, at approx. 12:30 pm in pump 8)
- 33600 US 19N, Palm Harbor (February 20, 2014, at approx. 3:30 pm in pump 13)
- 3965 S. Congress Avenue, Lake Worth (February 21, approx. 11 am in pump 16, and February 22, 2014, at approx. 12:30 pm in pump 14)
- 14624 Military Trail, Delray Beach (February 21, 2014, at approx. 10 am in pump 1)
- 2450 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (February 21, at approx. 12:30 pm in pump 9 and March 21, 2014, at approx. 11 am in pump 7)
- 2577 Harn Blvd., Clearwater (February 21, approx. 1:30 pm in pump 8, and February 28, 2014, at approx. 4 am in pump 9)
- 2023 US Highway 19, Holiday (February 21, 2014, at approx. 1:30 pm in pump 13)
- 4287 NW Federal Hwy., Jensen Beach (February 21, at approx. 2 pm in pump 1 and February 26, 2014, at approx. 10 am in pump 5)
- 150 North State Rd., Margate (February 21, 2014, at approx. 11 am in pumps 1 and 6)
- 2300 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale (February 25, 2014, at approx. 4 pm in pump 2)
- 100 SW Monterey Rd., Stuart (February 27, 2014, at approx. 8:30 am in pump 1)
- 6840 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (February 28, 2014, at approx. 10:30 am in pump 1)
- 5798 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater (March 10, 2014, at approx. 9:30 pm in pump 1)
- 900 E. Sample Road, Pompano (April 9, 2014, at approx. 7:30 am in pump 7)
- 15260 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers (April 10, 2014, at approx. 7:30 pm in pumps 1 and 8)
