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.
You are gravely and fundamentally underestimating the inattention and apathy of the average gas station employee, as well as the contempt a gas station owner has for his attendants. If I put on a suit, walked up to a pump with a master key, fucked around inside it and then reaffixed a seal I can guarantee you I'd get away with it 95% of the time, assuming the employee even knew I was there.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.
You might be right but in Canada I am not aware of any mandatory pay in advance stations so perhaps attendants keep track of who is at what pump a bit more. A very quick google search leads me to believe that "gas and dash" fatalities (attendants being run down chasing a gas thief) are predominantly a Canadian phenomenon. I can't imagine why any attendant would put their life on the line for a tank of gas. Or why someone would run down an attendant and then go on the lam of 3 years for $112 worth of gas.