TOLEDO, Ohio — Here's something you need to be aware of right now: crooks are finding a new way to steal your credit card information while you're pumping gas.
"I've heard of the card readers and sometimes they can put the cameras above where you type in your passcode so I've always tried to cover it up," Toledo driver, Travis Baldridge, said.
Now, the criminals are amping it up. Visa is warning customers that cybercrime teams have found a weak spot in gas station networks and have installed point of sale malware.
The company says the attacks are more sophisticated than credit card skimmers, which are physically installed on pumps and you might be able to recognize their poor fit and finish.
The new attacks are completely undetectable by a customer who's paying at the pump. When customers go to the pump and swipe their cards, the malware intercepts the credit card information and sends it back to the hackers, unencrypted, so they can use the cards or sell the information on the dark web.
"You might not even notice they're taking money out so that's kinda concerning, I guess you can say," Baldridge said.
If you have a card with a chip, hackers can't get in. The problem is, many gas station pumps haven't been updated so when you put your card in, the magnetic stripe is being swiped and you're not protected.
So what can you do to keep from getting scammed? Experts recommend paying inside with a chip reader or with cash.
"I always go in and pay because I am worried about it. I've heard so much about it and see stories on Facebook and I can't afford that. I barely get by, so I can't really afford someone getting in my bank account," Toledo driver, Rachel Skaggs, said.
If you do pay at the pump, keep a close eye on charges posted on your credit card account.
What to do if you think you were hacked:
The Better Business Bureau says the most important thing to do after a breach is to stay calm.
You are not liable for those fraudulent charges on your stolen credit card accounts. Debit cards are different, though, since crooks can take money directly from your bank account.
You should also consider freezing your credit or filing a fraud alert with the three major credit reporting agencies. That will stop criminals from opening new lines of credit in your name until you lift that freeze.
Finally, make sure you're dealing directly with your bank. Don't click any links through searches online or in your email. Call the number on your card or go to your bank to avoid being further scammed.