PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The old adage out of sight out of mind could cost you, if you're not careful.
Nearly 3 and 10 people say they think they've been the victim of card skimming according to a study by LendingTree.
WATCH: This is where thieves are hiding credit card skimmers
Skimming is when you swipe your credit or debit card not knowing there's a hidden device attached. The device is able to record the card information embedded in the magnetic strip. Once the bad guys get a hold of the data, they can wreak all kinds of financial havoc.
As spring road trips and the summer months rev up, credit card users should beware gas stations aren't the only places where thieves like to plant skimmers. Security experts said be on guard at ATMs, restaurants, parking garages and vending machines.
Here are a few more tips to protect yourself:
- Use the gas pumps that are closest to the gas station. Thieves tend to plant skimming devices in areas that don't draw immediate attention
- Pay inside or use contactless pay like Apple Pay or Google Wallet
- Check the gas pump panel to make sure it's closed and sealed to avoid tampering
