VENTURA, CA (August 25, 2015) — Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) Ventura County law enforcement, businesses and federal agencies on Aug. 13, 2015 in “Operation Take Back the Pumps,” a community-based, collaborative effort to prevent credit or debit card fraud caused by skimming devices on local gasoline/fuel pumps.
Operation Take Back the Pumps aimed to stop the financial losses associated with these card-skimming devices, which are illegally placed on pumps in order to capture card and pin information when debit or credit cards are used. The average losses caused by a single illegal skimming device are estimated to be between $50,000 and $100,000, which can be a result of identity theft and/or other fraud-related crimes.
The program was spearheaded by the Moorpark Police Department and involved a multiphase process that consisted of: training law enforcement and gasoline station personnel on prevention methods; implementing programs for regular pump inspection; and educating the public on how to safely purchase fuel. Since the program’s launch, 1,512 fuel pumps have been inspected, and three illegal skimming devices have been discovered and removed — all within the City of Thousand Oaks.
VCCU was the only local financial institution to assist with the program’s initial efforts, with April Remnant, VCCU’s assistant vice president of electronic services, and Natalie Bradley, VCCU’s director of community partnerships, joining agencies such as the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Station, the Simi Valley Police Department and the Thousand Oaks Police Department, amongst others, to visit and review pumps at local gas stations throughout Ventura County.
“Identity theft is a significant problem for citizens in our county, and we are eager to assist with efforts to protect both our customers and local residents,” said Remnant. “Pumping gas is a very common practice, so it is of the utmost importance that our local pumps are safe and skimming-device free, and that customers know how to protect themselves.”
For more information about VCCU and its community involvement programs, visit vccuonline.net.
Ventura County Credit Union was chartered in 1950. It is the largest credit union headquartered in Ventura County, with eight offices, more than 80,000 members and more than $900 million in total assets. VCCU offers a complete line of loans, federally insured savings, 24-hour electronic access services and more. Call 1-800-339-0496 or visit https://www.vccuonline.net for more information.
Joe Schroeder
President and CEO
Ventura County Credit Union
