Auburn area gas stations targeted in credit card skimming operation, Placer County sheriff says

Multiple gas stations in the Auburn area have been affected by a credit card skimming operation that sought to steal financial information from customers.

In a news release, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said gas stations in Auburn and North Auburn were compromised by skimming devices, which are installed inside gas dispensers to steal credit card information.

Placer County property crime detectives seized one such skimming device from a gas station in North Auburn on Wednesday, and are investigating other cases in the area.

Deputies did not release the names of any specific gas stations that were affected, but urged customers to monitor bank accounts and credit card statements to check for possible evidence.

To mitigate possible theft, deputies suggest using a credit card, rather than a debit card, at gas dispensers to avoid punching in your PIN.

Anyone who suspects that their account has been compromised is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 530-886-5375.

This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 4:10 PM.