Fuel Dispenser Anti-Skimming Input Device

Abstract

Methods of detecting fraud at card reader input devices. One method includes providing a sensor circuit comprising a sensor coil, wherein the sensor coil is coupled with an exterior surface of a card reader input device housing, and applying alternating electric current to the sensor circuit. The method also comprises measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor circuit to obtain at least one measured value of the electrical characteristic and storing in a card reader input device memory at least one reference value of the electrical characteristic. Finally, the method comprises comparing, via a card reader input device processor, the at least one measured value with the at least one reference value to determine whether a skimming device is disposed internal to the card reader input device housing proximate to the smart card contact block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of detecting fraud at a card reader input device, the card reader input device comprising a housing and a processor, a memory, and a smart card contact block all disposed internal to the housing, the method comprising:
 providing a sensor circuit comprising a sensor coil, wherein the sensor coil is coupled with an exterior surface of the card reader input device housing;   applying alternating electric current to the sensor circuit;   measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor circuit to obtain at least one measured value of the electrical characteristic;   storing in the card reader input device memory at least one reference value of the electrical characteristic; and   comparing, via the card reader input device processor, the at least one measured value with the at least one reference value to determine whether a skimming device is disposed internal to the card reader input device housing proximate to the smart card contact block.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical characteristic is frequency. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical characteristic is impedance. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical characteristic is inductance. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an inductance-to-digital converter in electronic communication with the sensor circuitry and the card reader input device processor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether a card is inserted in the card reader input device at the time the at least one measured value is obtained. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reference value of the electrical characteristic is determined by measuring the electrical characteristic of the sensor circuit during installation or service of the card reader input device. 
     
     
         8 . A method of detecting fraud, the method comprising:
 providing a card reader input device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a processor, a memory, and a smart card contact block disposed within the housing; and 
 a bezel; 
   coupling the card reader input device with a fuel dispenser;   providing at least one sensor coil in electrical communication with sensing circuitry, wherein the at least one sensor coil is coupled with an exterior surface of the card reader input device housing;   applying alternating electrical current to the at least one sensor coil;   at a first time, measuring an electrical characteristic of the at least one sensor coil to obtain reference data regarding the electrical characteristic;   at a second time different than the first time, measuring the electrical characteristic to obtain measured data regarding the electrical characteristic; and   determining whether the measured data differs from the reference data by more than a predetermined amount.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first time comprises the time at which the card reader input device is coupled with the fuel dispenser. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second time comprises the time at which a transaction is occurring at the card reader input device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising measuring the electrical characteristic at a third time different from the first and second times. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining, via the card reader input device processor, a duration of time during which the measured data and the reference data differ by an amount that exceeds the predetermined amount. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising storing the reference data in the card reader input device memory. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the card reader input device performs the determining operation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising transmitting the reference data to a remote computing device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the remote computing device performs the determining operation. 
     
     
         17 . A method of detecting fraud at a card reader input device, the card reader input device comprising a housing and a processor, a memory, and a smart card contact block all disposed internal to the housing, the method comprising:
 providing at least one sensor circuit comprising a coil, wherein the coil is coupled with the card reader input device housing and in electrical communication with a sensor processor, the sensor processor in electronic communication with the card reader input device processor;   applying alternating electric current to the sensor circuit; and   determining whether a skimming device is disposed internal to the card reader input device housing proximate to the smart card contact block by:
 prior to insertion of a card at the card reader input device, measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor circuit to obtain first measured data; 
 following insertion of the card at the card reader input device, measuring the electrical characteristic of the sensor circuit to obtain second measured data; and 
 comparing the first measured data with the second measured data to determine whether the first and second measured data differ by more than a predetermined amount. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a plurality of sensor circuits. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising generating reference data regarding the electrical characteristic of the sensor circuit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the reference data comprises measurements of the electrical characteristic taken at a time when a user's hand is proximate the card reader input device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising determining whether a difference between the first and second measured data is attributable to the presence of the user's hand proximate the card reader input device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the reference data comprises measurements of the electrical characteristic taken at a time when no skimming device is disposed internal to the card reader input device housing proximate to the smart card contact block.