Gas pump gives bad vibe

There have been recent reports of possible credit-card data skimming occurring at the gas stations in Ocean Beach.

According to numerous folks in O.B., after purchasing gas by “swiping at the pump,” they soon noticed fraudulent charges on their account.

“As soon as I swiped I got a bad vibe,” commented Jen Carter via Facebook. “I even grabbed [the credit card reader] to see if it came off or moved, it didn't, but a week later ‘I’ was spending $400 up at a Target in Culver City.”

The alleged swiping incidents seem to be coming from the USA Gas station on the corner of Sunset Cliffs and Newport Avenue.

Chris, who noticed the possible skimming, was first to alert the community.

“Check your credit card(s) activity. I mostly use it in OB only…someone just decided to buy new kicks in Mission Valley at Aldo and Foot Locker as well as a fairly local 7-Eleven and gas station…. I have my card with me right now so it wasn't a matter or theft/loss of card.”

Adam Ewing hit the streets after reading the reports and reported back to the community.

“I went by Shell, Philips 76 and USA Gasoline,” he wrote. “Spoke to the manager Maria at 76 and she told me about these security stickers that once attached will break if tampered with or [if] the machine is opened to place the scanner. She told me how the scanners work and said the machine has to be opened and their scanner replaced. She said it's part of their [standard operating procedure] to check them regularly. USA and 76 had these security measures, Shell was the only one that didn't. North most pump closest to Sunset Cliffs looked tampered with.

A police report has been filed for an investigation into possible skimming.  Of course, there are a variety of ways your information could be stolen — via Bluetooth or online purchases that you’ve made.