EDITORIAL:Arco needs to act against ID thefts

How many more customers will be victims of identity theft before Arco safeguards its payment machines?

Thieves have lifted debit card information and personal identification numbers from more than a dozen customers at Arco stations in Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa in recent weeks.

Huntington Beach police are looking for three identity thieves they believe stole more than $75,000 using a debit card-skimming device at a Brookhurst Avenue Arco station. It was the most recent of three such incidents in Huntington Beach over the past two months.

Numerous customers who used the Arco station on June 21 and June 22 found someone was using their ATM accounts, Huntington Beach police Det. David Humphreys said.

Why Arco? Simple.

Unlike most companies that sell gasoline, Arco does not accept credit card payments. Customers must pay in cash or by using a debit card.

We should note that this system allows Arco to keep prices down, which, given the soaring costs of gasoline in recent years, is a good thing.

And we’re not challenging that system.

But it should be safeguarded.

The identity thefts have been going on for months. Thieves attach devices that glean information from customers’ ATM cards to the payment machines. The thieves then manufacture phony ATM cards and steal money from accounts.

Arco officials have reiterated that the company plans to keep a watchful eye on its machines, but has declined to specify what that will mean in the future.

We’re sorry, but as the saying goes, that dog won’t hunt.

If Arco is serious about stopping ID thieves, it should: 1) Figure out a way to safeguard its payment machines, perhaps by hiring security guards or by investing in anti-theft technology; 2) Be frank with the public about its plans, or lack of plans.

Until and unless the company steps up its efforts, more customers will be victimized.

And if there are no plans to safeguard the machines, customers should know so they can weigh the benefits of getting cheap gas against the cost of being victimized by identity thieves.

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you think Arco has done enough to safeguard its payment machines? E-mail [email protected]. Please spell your name and include your hometown and phone number for verification purposes.