Recently, we have seen a significant increase in the amount and frequency of debit card fraud for our customers at fuel pumps. Scammers are utilizing technology, called card skimming, to be able to steal credit card information as you swipe your card to pay for gas.
We have added an extra layer of protection.
To help you stay safe and protect your information, when using your Heartland Bank debit card at a fuel pump, gas station or a convenience store outside of Nebraska you must choose “debit” and enter your pin number.
If you choose “credit” for the transaction at a gas station outside of Nebraska, your transaction will be declined.
While this doesn’t affect transactions done at Nebraska gas stations, we still recommend for you to choose the “debit” option still when purchasing fuel. When planning a trip, give your local Heartland Bank branch a call to notify them to avoid any fraud alerts being brought up on your debit card.
What is card skimming?
Skimmers are malicious card reading devices utilizing technology to grab data off of the card’s magnetic stripe. With the details of your card, thieves can create cloned cards for purchases and access the money in your account.
Skimmers are usually installed on real payment terminals, such as ATMs or gas stations, so they can get information from everyone who swipes their card. The devices don’t prevent the ATM or card reader from functioning properly, making the victim unaware of the skimmer.
The bottom line.
We are always working to keep our customers safe and protected from fraud and if you have any issues, call our 24/7 Fraud Prevention Services at 866-842-5208.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local Heartland Bank branch or give us a call during regular business hours at 800-759-3119.
Updated: May 23, 2017
Cindy is a Senior Vice President / Operations Director for Heartland Bank. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Outside of the bank, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family and going to garage sales and flea markets.
