Police investigate possible credit card skimming incident at gas station

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Authorities said they’re investigating whether skimming devices were put on the pumps of a gas station in Holiday Park after more than 40 people reported fraudulent charges on their credit and debit cards.

Michelle Frew told Channel 11 News Tuesday that her friends, neighbors and fellow Little League parents have all been hacked.

“Every hour or so, I seem to get a text from somebody I know or someone they know this was hit,” she said.

Frew said most of them got gas at an Exxon station on Route 286 in Holiday Park in the last week. She said a few days after filling up, they saw hundreds of dollars in fraudulent charges on their online statements.%

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“Nearly $5,000 between the five of us,” Frew said.

Plum police told Channel 11 News that they have received well over 40 complaints. Murrysville police and neighboring departments said they got complaints as well.

Within the last year, police have busted skimming rings across the Pittsburgh area in Heidelberg, Washington and White Oak.

Once a card is run through the skimmer at a gas pump or ATM, the data is recorded, and thieves can sell the information or make counterfeit cards.

Frew said she's paying cash from now on.

“You work hard for your money, and these thieves in the blink of an eye can just take your money. It's very frustrating,” she said.

Authorities said the most recent stolen credit cards were used at the Monroeville Mall, the Washington Mall and several other stores in Allegheny County.

Anyone who believes he or she may be a victim is asked to contact police.

Cox Media Group