[The Mountaineer]

I got a $4,179 charge on my credit card the day after using La Bodega Shell Circle K for gasoline fillup. The skimmer, which electronically gives the crooks your credit card number, might not be there because I also used Publix with my credit card, but I'd keep an eye out after your transaction for any use of a hand-held skimmer.

Fortunately, my credit card fraud alert stopped the charge, made online with Apple for an electronic sale. But that means that card number is blocked and unusable forever and I'll get a new number and card. Which means I'll have to go through the hassle of notifying all the businesses where I have automatic payments set up, a real pain.

I know because I had my number hacked several years ago in New York City by a McDonald's employee who turned my card over to read the security number. Next thing I knew, parking charge and Wal-Mart charge appeared on my bill.

These scumbags just skimmer everyone because they know all of them can't get caught. In this case, they tried for too big a bite at one time. In New York City, they stayed under the $500 automatic fraud notification.

Anyway, you've been warned. Skimmer crooks re everywhere. When I called the Sheriff's Department to alert them about my credit card purchase locations, the officer said: "They're all over the place, but not at this location so far."