As the holiday season approaches, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding consumers, drivers, and visitors to stay alert for potential credit card skimming. With increased holiday travel, criminals often target unsuspecting motorists using hidden devices inside fuel pumps to steal credit and debit card information.

“As Michiganders prepare to hit the road and visit loved ones this holiday season, MDARD is working diligently to ensure consumers are protected at the pump,” said Director Tim Boring. “Our inspectors play a vital role in keeping motorists safe from fraud by thoroughly checking for skimming devices during routine inspections, as well as ensuring the quality and quantity of fuel delivered. We want every driver to know that when they fill up, they’re getting exactly what they pay for.”

Simple steps to protect yourself from card skimmers:

– Choose the pump nearest the cashier. Criminals are less likely to install skimmers near a staff member.

– Inspect the card reader for tampering. Look for loose or discolored panels, exposed wires, or unusual scuff marks–these could signal the presence of a skimmer.

– Always select “Credit” when paying. This avoids entering your PIN, which could be stolen by a skimmer. Instead, you’ll only need to enter your zip code, which is safer.

– Monitor your banking accounts while traveling to catch fraudulent activity.

MDARD also actively collaborates with the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local law enforcement to investigate and apprehend those responsible for skimming devices.

“Consumer protection isn’t just limited to investigating credit card skimming – MDARD also ensures fuel quality and pump accuracy. “Thanks to the hard work of our weights and measures staff, Michigan boasts over a 96% compliance rate on fuel pumps,” added Craig VanBuren, Director of MDARD’s Laboratory and Consumer Protection Bureau. “Non-compliance issues can be attributed to various reasons, including display malfunctions or even providing too much fuel. When irregulates are found, MDARD works with station owners and operators to help them get back into compliance.”

While most gas station operators are delivering the proper quality and quantity of fuel, motorists can help increase their protection by:

– Ensuring the price display on the pump is set to zero.

– Verifying the sign on the roadway matches the price on the pump before fueling.

– Requesting a receipt as a record of their purchase.

Consumers are encouraged to report suspected issues, including poor fuel quality or pump discrepancies, through the Motor Fuels Hot Line at 800-MDA-FUEL or 800-632-3835, which is also listed on every gas pump throughout Michigan.