My Mom once got a call at 4 am from Amex asking her if it was possible that my sister's "kiddy card" was being used in Hong Kong for a cash advance of $400. She OKed it. It was her making that transaction.... at knifepoint. And she did the same with her Visa and MC. Then went to a 4th bank and bought gold with the cash. She filed a police report so she got her money back eventually. The police asked for a description and she said he was short, light brown skinned with black hair. That didn't help. Neither did saying he looked like an Asian Gomer Pyle. lol I can't remember the last time I went to a gas station that is not 24 hours so, assuming it is not an inside job, I wonder how the scammers have time to install the skimmers without being seen. And you are very right, even a simple scan once a day by any employee with a smartphone could eliminate the issue at zero cost to the gas company.