'Do not pay at pump' warning issued as drivers' bank accounts are drained

Motorists could have their bank accounts emptied by a major petrol station scam, which experts warn is almost "undetectable". According to experts, fraudsters are placing sophisticated skimming devices at petrol and diesel fuel pumps, with the software often hidden in plain sight.

The skimming tools are then used to clone debit and credit card information, giving individuals access to motorists' personal information. Paul Hampson, CEO of fraud and scam recovery firm CEL Solicitors, stressed the scam devices have been placed on card readers at unattended fuel pumps in a major blow. It means motorists paying at the pump instead of at the kiosk could be at a heightened risk of being caught out.

Paul said: "These scams are designed to be virtually undetectable," he said. "Criminals install fake card slots or hidden chips that skim your details as soon as you insert your card. It's fast, silent and can affect anyone who isn't on high alert."

He added: "The most common tactic is to fit a false front to the card machine, or place a tiny device inside the slot," Mr Hampson explained. Some will even hide miniature cameras to record your PIN. These devices can be installed and removed in under a minute."

According to the CEL Solicitors, petrol stations are almost an ideal target for criminals to install the devices. This is because drivers are often distracted and in a rush, Meanwhile, individuals can tamper with a pump at night or in quieter locations. Paul stressed motorists may notice some tell-tale signs a pay-at-the-pump machine has been tampered with.

This can include a loose or misaligned card slot, unusually bulky keypads, sticky residue or tape, or parts that seem to flex or move when touched. He has also called on petrol station retailers to check their card machines more regularly and improve security to ease the concern.

Motorists who feel they may have fallen victim to the scam must report any issues to their bank immediately and check for suspicious activity on their account.

Paul added: "If anything looks suspicious, don't take the risk. Go inside and pay at the counter instead. Many victims feel embarrassed they were caught out, but these devices are sophisticated and hard to spot. The fault lies with the fraudsters - not you."