Bangs Automotive

Identity thieves are always looking for new ways to steal your account information. One of the most popular ways is skimming. It’s easy to get fooled by skimming, but it’s easy to spot too.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid a skimmer when visiting a business with a card reader (ex. gas station, car wash, fast food restaurant and even ATM's).

1. Make sure the panel is closed and doesn’t show signs of tampering. Many businesses now put security seals over the cabinet panel.

2. Look at the card reader itself. Does it look different than other readers at the station? For example, the card reader pictures below show a credit card slot with and without a skimmer.

3. Before you use your card always check the card reader. Just grab it and wiggle it to see if it’s loose. If the reader is loose, do not use it. This should be a routine you do every single time you use a card reader.

4. If you use a debit card, run it as a credit card instead of entering a PIN. That way, the PIN is safe and the money isn’t deducted immediately from your account.

We hope these tips help you stay protected against identity theft!

Russell Wadsworth, CenTex Fuels, Bangs Automotive

As most of you know, there has been a tremendous security breach on credit cards in the Central Texas Area. Coleman, Santa Anna, Bangs, Brownwood and Early have all been affected. Law enforcement, including the Texas Rangers, are involved in trying to solve this crime. I would like for my loyal customers to know that we have made security upgrades to our pumps. Some things you will notice, other things you will not. The one thing that I would ask you to do would be to watch the slot where you put your credit card into to make sure there is not a skimmer attached to it. If you find one, please call 911 and report it. We have pictures available in the office of these type skimmers for you to have. If you have any questions about it, please come into the office. With our increased security the outside skimmer is the only way your credit card will be compromised. Please call me at 325-752-7575 if you have any questions. Russell Wadsworth

Come visit the First United Methodist Church this Friday and Saturday for the biggest and best garage sale in Bangs!!!