The Coffey County Sheriff's Office would like to alert residents to be mindful of unusual appearances before paying at the pump with a payment card. 

Our office recently responded to a call of a skimmer found on a bio diesel fuel pump located at Beto Junction.  Skimmers are small, hidden devices used to steal information and/or money by capturing your cards data while fueling. These illegal devices are made to look like part of the fuel pump and can sometimes be hard to distinguish when you are in the normal routine of refueling your vehicle.  We do not want anyone to become a victim of these devices.  

Keep an eye out for any kind of abnormalities at the fuel pump before you insert your payment card: 

1. Check the pump panel for tampering-  Panels should be sealed, usually including a security sticker/tamper proof sticker to show that the panel is securely shut and untampered with.  
2. Look for bulky features around the card slot or key pad.  In the example pictured, you can see that the skimmer was the same shape as a feature on the fuel pumps key pad, however, stuck out from the pump more than it should have. 
3. Be mindful of hidden cameras.  These can be so hidden in the features of the fuel pump that they are nearly undetectable to someone just paying for fuel. Avoid entering your PIN.  If you are able to run your card as credit, then do so.  If you must enter your PIN, then cover the key pad with your other hand to prevent your PIN being compromised by a hidden camera. 
4. Use the pump closest to the fuel station.  Skimmers are less likely to be found where the person placing the skimmer can be seen by employees or other security cameras on the building. 

If you think you see a skimmer on a fuel pump, then report it immediately to the business and/or report it to dispatch by calling 620-364-2123.