Conexxus Outlines Tips for Security at the Pump

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Conexxus, a nonprofit, member-driven technology organization dedicated to the development and implementation of standards, technologies innovation and advocacy for the convenience store and petroleum market, released a new version of “Protecting Payment Card Data at Your Dispensers,” to assist retailers in an era when skimming at pump has become omnipresent.

The brief outlines both low-cost and more expensive ways gasoline retailers can protect their customers’ credit and debit card data. For example, low-cost preventative measures include monitoring dispensers for any high levels of bad card reads or problems accepting cards and keeping an eye out for any “technicians” performing unscheduled work on dispensers. Other methods include replacing generic pump terminal door locks with unique locks and installing proper lighting on the forecourt.

Alexandria-based Conexxus, formerly known as PCATS, is an operating division of NACS, the Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing. NACS offers WeCare serialized security stickers that work in conjunction with its SkimDefend app developed by NACS and The Pinnacle Corp.

“By teaming up with Pinnacle, NACS is able to help convenience store operators combat skimming at the dispenser, and anywhere else hardware is at potential risk. NACS members, and especially our WeCare decal users, are encouraged to take advantage of this app while it is free, and help us enhance the power of SkimDefend by sharing usage experiences,” said Doug Spencer, director of products and services at NACS.

Convenience store operators can download the SkimDefend app free of charge for Apple and Android mobile devices, and the NACS WeCare decals can be purchased here.

At the 2016 Conexxus Annual Conference in Tucson, Ariz., Conexxus Executive Director Gray Taylor stated skimming at the pump is a major concern for all c-store retailers. “Skimming is something we have to fix,” he said during the event.

For more tips regarding how to prevent skimming at the pump, click here.