Reports of credit and debit card fraud stemming from Sierra Madre's now-shuttered EVG gas station are steadily climbing, with the total number of complaints reaching 283 as of Monday night, according to Detective Gene Gray of the Sierra Madre Police Department.

According to a SMPD press release, around 75% of the claims they have received involve a single fraudulent transaction of less than $200. Of the remaining 25%, many victims have discovered multiple charges on their bank statements, with six reports of six transactions each, and one report of nine total fraudulent charges. The largest loss incurred by single individual so far is $3,782. As of Monday morning, the combined loss to those victimized by the credit card scam was more than $49,000, though that number will certainly rise as more than 100 new victims have come forward since then.

Most of the charges were made to the accounts of Sierra Madre residents who patronized the EVG gas station located at 50 South Baldwin Avenue, though a small but rising number of complaints have been filed by individuals who never visited the station. As of Monday morning, 82 percent of the victims to come forward have been Sierra Madre residents. Det. Gray said he did not know the number of Arcadia residents who had so far reported fraudulent charges.

On Thursday, Dec. 30, Sierra Madre Police examined the card readers at the Valero station up the street looking for evidence of fraudulent card "skimmers," which criminals can use to collect credit and debit card information from unaware card bearers.  Police have not said whether or not that search showed evidence of foul play, but only that the investigation is ongoing.

In addition to their normal investigative procedures, the local police are "working with several law enforcement and regulatory agencies that are providing additional resources," according to the SMPD release.

Det. Gray said the majority of victims held accounts at Bank of America, Chase or Wells Fargo. Police were in discussion with each of those banks regarding the case, Gray said.

In the release, Diaz reminds area residents that, "identity theft and credit card misuse are among the fastest growing crimes in the country" and "While there are some precautions consumers can take to lessen the chances of becoming a victim, no one is immune from being targeted."

Since first announcing preliminary information about 25 initial complaints of fraudulent charges, Police Chief Marilyn Diaz has been urging area residents to check their bank balances for any suspicious charges and report them to the department as soon as possible.

Diaz echoed that sentiment in today's announcement, asking area residents to check their bank balances and report any suspicious activity to the SMPD by calling (626) 355-1414 or coming to the station to file an official report.

Staff writer Matt Burch contributed to this report.