Currently 15 scammed at Exxon station gas pump

Newport police identified at least six more victims of a credit theft scheme at an Exxon gas station on the Balboa Peninsula, bringing the victim total to 15, police said.

Investigators believe the devices were put on pump payment machines at the 3401 Newport Blvd. station during the week of Jan. 6, police said. The thieves possibly nabbed information for hundreds of credit and debit cards, including card numbers and Personal Identification Numbers, police said.

The thieves used debit card information to create phony cards, so they could withdraw the maximum amount at various ATMs in the Los Angeles area, police said.

“Depending on the account, they take out $300, $500 or $700 and go back the very next morning to see if the victim hasn’t discovered it, and then they try it again,” Sgt. Evan Sailor said. Most cards were hit only once or twice.

Police remind drivers that when filling up at the pump:

 Check all outside payment machines for loose attachments or suspicious keypad covers.

 Credit cards are safer to use than debit cards, which require a PIN and give thieves direct access to a checking account.

 Also, frequently review all financial records; online banking makes this simple to do every day.

— Kelly Strodl