IDAHO FALLS — Authorities released the names of the two gas stations in Idaho Falls on Friday where gas skimmer devices had illegally been installed earlier in the week.

    Gas skimmers are tiny devices that read credit card and debit card numbers. The information is then directly streamed to the thief, or thieves’, computer.

    Those who used a credit or debit card to purchase gasoline at the Phillips 66, located at 495 W. 17th St., or the Phillips 66, located at the intersection of  Broadway Street and Skyline Drive, are being encouraged to contact their credit card company or bank regarding the transaction.

    Thanks to the cooperation and efforts made by the gas station owners, Idaho Falls Police Department detectives were able to determine the exact time the skimmers were installed.

    Specifically, the devices were installed around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the West 17th gas station and after 1 a.m. Thursday at the Broadway and Skyline location.

    According to the police report, two gas skimmers were found at the 17th Street location, while three such devices were installed at gas pumps at the other location.    

    The police department has not received any further reports of credit card skimmers being found. The skimmers were immediately removed.

    This case remains under investigation.