Deputies Warn That Credit Card Skimmers Are Rampant in Travis County

Travis County deputies are warning Austinites that the use of credit card skimmers, especially in the Wells Branch area, is alarmingly high. MyStatesman.com says that Capt. Craig Smith recommends that drivers go inside to pay with cash for their gas. “Credit card skimming has become such a problem in Travis County that I’m encouraging everybody to not use their credit cards at the gas pump. I know that takes away from the convenience of pay at the pump 100 percent, but right now that is the only way that we know that you can be sure that (you avoid) your credit card being skimmed,” he says.

Deputies are working hard to crack down on the skimmers as part of the Wells Branch Initiative to lower crime in the area like prostitution and drugs. They’ve already arrested two people in connection with credit card skimmers where the criminals were using people’s numbers to buy diesel to resell illegally.

Credit cards skimmers have become an increasing worry in the Austin area this year. Back in July, KVUE wrote that Travis County deputies received special training concerning the skimmers due to the rise in use. And in August, KXAN reported that multiple skimmers were found at two Shell stations across the city on the same day by police.