Skimmer hidden in plain sight at GetGo gas station

CARNEGIE, Pa. — Police plucked a possible skimming device off an ATM inside the GetGo gas station, which is right near the Parkway West, I79 and Route 50 in Carnegie.

Police say it happens all the time: Skimmers are hidden in plain sight.

"I come to this gas station all the time,” said customer Drew Reis. “Knowing something like that is surprising and scary at the same time."

Police said a customer, out of habit, took a closer look at the ATM before using it, and noticed a device attached to the card reader. He pulled the device off and called police.

"It fit right over (the) top. It's the same color as the machine. It was just a good match,” said police Detective Dennis Lawrence.

Police tell Channel 11 that, through surveillance video, they determined a man put the card skimmer on the cash machine around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

"You can actually see him place this device over (the) top. Then he goes to another part of the store. Then he comes back and places another device on there,” Lawrence said.

He said the best way to protect yourself from a skimmer is to use an ATM at a bank instead of one at a gas station or convenience store.

"A lot of the banks are aware of situations with these devices,” Lawrence said.

"Multiple people come here just for that reason,” said customer Michael Bernardelli. “If none of our stuff is safe in a little town like this, what can you trust?"

Police don't believe anyone's account was compromised, but they still suggest that anyone who used the ATM between 4:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Saturday check their account.

Cox Media Group