Credit-card fraud victims who used Sierra Madre gas station reaches 230

The number of credit-fraud victims who patronized a Sierra Madre gas station that is under investigation has grown to 230, police said Wednesday.

Police are seeking to question the owner of EVG Quality Gas located at 50 South Baldwin Ave., which closed over the Christmas holiday, said Chief Marilyn Diaz of the Sierra Madre Police Department.

Diaz said she expects the number of victims to grow as customers who bought gas at the station within the last six months check their credit card statements. Losses are already running in excess of $60,000.

Police say 75% of the victims are local residents who used credit cards at the station. Diaz said the fraud scheme does not involve any other stations in the city, and officers have checked for so-called credit-card skimmers on gas station pumps, which surreptitiously record users' credit card information. No skimmers were found.

The first victim reported an identity theft to police Dec. 27 after using her credit card at the station.

By Monday, Sierra Madre police had received more than 175 fraud reports linked to EVG. About 75% of the cases involved a single fraudulent transaction at the station known for selling gas at cheaper prices than more widely recognized brands.

Most of the multiple transaction cases involved ATM and retail transactions. Six cases involved six transactions each and one involved nine transactions.

The highest loss from an individual case was $3,782.

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Massive credit-card fraud investigated at Sierra Madre gas station

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Crime scene tape at EVG gas in Sierra Madre. Credit: Richard Winton / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[SASS]

This happened to my son two years ago in azusa for 900+ dollars filed a repost with the sherrifs stattion and they said there was nothing they can do. His bank refunded him the money and the gas station on lark ellen and gladstone refused to speak to us regarding the matter.

[Miranda914]

This happened to me at a gas station not far north of the grapevine, Hwy 5. I spent more money on calls than I lost and never got any satisfaction: nothing from the bank (who said it was an ATM transaction so they had no recourse) nothing from the station, nothing from the Sheriff's office and nothing from the state of California weights and measures. Nobody was interested that a station could ding me twice for gas and get away with it.

[jockeygirl]

Now we know why the gas prices on the sign,where the cheapest around.
It sure is strange that it took one observant patron, to check out there account status. And,right away notified the police. Thank-God!! If suddenly ,all these calls came flooding in to report there accounts have been compromised. I might wonder,if that is part of the thieves scheme to look like they were a customer. Then insurance from the gas station can pay them too.
This is why pin numbers should be changed quite often.
The computer systemn at the gas station could have been hacked into. If an employee,plays games on a "Steam" account . Lets say,During a break.. It can make everything on the computer shared with all "Steam" account holders. And, the employee might not be aware that this is happening. Or, the owner
of the gas station.
I visited a gameing /internet place recently,to check out my e-mail on Yahoo. Next thing I knew, 7 kids where chanting my Password. And, mentioning things that I had looked up 2 hours before. Since then, I have no e-mail or Facebook.
As you notice, Facebook has changed there rules. But, do hackers and gamers care. Heck no!!! That is just part of there fun; privacy is theres for the takeing.
Even baby monitor cameras and security cameras are easily watched by anyone. And, listened too. There was a special on TV not to long ago. That means, don't think your alone,in the comfort of your own home. Burglers,have been useing this technique to invade your home,while your sleeping and out of the house. Please be aware of this.