Credit card skimmers at work in Manhattan
Two separate petrol stations in Manhattan have been targeted by criminals using credit card skimmers placed inside the pumps, making them invisible to customers, according to the Riley County police department. The internal skimmers, which gather data from credit or debit cards, are becoming more common across the US. A police statement urged customers to "make it a habit of monitoring bank statements and credit reports on a regular basis".

Credit card skimmers, which are devices that can gather information from credit or debit cards that are used to pay at gas station pumps, have been found at two different Manhattan gas stations in two separate calls on March 9 and March 10, according to a March 13 press release from Riley County Police Department.

In both cases the devices were located inside the pump and were undetectable without opening the pumps. These internal skimmers are becoming more common across the nation, according to the release, and are not detectible by consumers.

The skimmers were found at the Shop Quik at 529 Richards Dr. and the Shop Quik at 430 Fort Riley Blvd.

RCPD encourages those who purchased gas at the pump from either location to review their bank statements for any fraudulent activity.

“The best way to protect yourself is to make it a habit to monitor your bank statements and credit reports on a regular basis,” the release states.

If fraudulent activity is discovered on bank statements, the statement says to call dispatch at 785-537-2112 to report the crime.

“Rumors have been swirling about skimmers at other gas stations in town,” the release states. “Please note that no additional skimmers have been located at this time.”