WHITEHALL, Ohio — The Whitehall Police Department is warning residents after credit card skimming devices were discovered at two Whitehall UDF gas station locations. Authorities say customers who used swipe or chip-insert payment methods at either location may have had their card information compromised.
Police are urging anyone who used their debit or credit card at the affected stations to immediately review their financial accounts for suspicious or unauthorized transactions and to continue monitoring activity for at least the next 90 days.
Residents who notice unfamiliar charges are advised to contact their bank or credit card company right away to report potential fraud, cancel the affected card, and request a replacement. Unauthorized charges should be disputed directly with the financial institution.
As an added layer of protection, police recommend placing a fraud alert or credit freeze through one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. A fraud alert is free and lasts one year, while a credit freeze can prevent new accounts from being opened in a victim’s name. Consumers are also encouraged to closely monitor their credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or credit inquiries.
Anyone who believes their card information may have been compromised should also file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov, which provides an official recovery plan and documentation.
Whitehall Police ask affected individuals to report incidents to the department’s Detective Division. Detective Kubinski can be reached at 614-246-7422. Providing approximate dates, times, and the payment method used may assist investigators.
To help prevent future incidents, police recommend using tap-to-pay options when available, inspecting card readers for loose or unusual attachments before use, and enabling transaction alerts through your bank or credit card provider.
The investigation into the skimming devices remains ongoing.
