Gas prices are high in NC. Here’s how to spot a skimmer at the pump
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- North Carolina gas prices averaged $3.94 for regular and $5.53 for diesel on April 28.
- Skimmers are illegal in North Carolina and have been found at gas stations statewide.
- The FBI says use pumps closest to the store, cover PINs or pay inside to reduce risk.
With North Carolina drivers paying some of the highest gas prices in years, every fill-up is already painful — and criminals using card skimmers can make it worse. The illegal devices secretly capture your card information at gas pumps and ATMs, and the FBI estimates skimming costs consumers and banks more than $1 billion a year nationwide.
Here are key takeaways:
• Gas prices in North Carolina hit $3.94 a gallon on average for regular and $5.53 for diesel as of April 28, making it the highest day for U.S. gas prices since 2022, according to AAA and The Wall Street Journal.
• Skimmers are illegal in North Carolina but have been found at gas stations across the state. The devices fit over card readers to steal credit card numbers, and at ATMs they’re sometimes paired with pinhole cameras to capture PINs, according to the FBI.
• To spot a skimmer, Capital One suggests checking whether the card reader looks loose, crooked or different from other pumps at the same station, and looking for broken or mismatched security tape.
• The FBI recommends choosing pumps closest to the store and within view of the attendant, since those are less likely to be targeted. You can lower your risk by running your debit card as credit, covering the keypad when entering a PIN or paying inside instead of at the pump.
• If you suspect a skimmer or see suspicious charges, contact your bank immediately.
• Higher fuel prices are also pushing up food costs at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, where farmers say diesel and gas expenses are forcing them to raise prices on tomatoes, cucumbers and other produce.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
