PITTSBURGH -- One of the most popular ways to rent a DVD could also leave your credit card vulnerable to identity thieves.

The company that owns Redbox DVD rental kiosks said scam artists have found a simple way to steal credit card numbers.

Call 4 Action reporter Aaron Saykin said that the popular company revealed the scammers tactics to customers in a statement.

The company said thieves put a device called a skimmer alongside the credit card swipe. The device is supposed to glean and store credit card information every time someone uses the machine.

"I think it's very scary. People could charge things to us and we can't afford that," said Winfrey Mandarino, a Redbox customer.

Law enforcement officials said tactics like skimmers are becoming a big threat to customer's identities.

"This is just one of the new techniques or evolving techniques that is growing to capture personal information to use it for fraud or identity theft," said FBI special agent William Shore.

Shore said crooks have placed similar devices on ATMs and gas pumps in recent years.

Now, the company behind Redbox said it is stepping up security.

"Although there is no evidence currently that these skimming attempts were successful, consumer security is a top priority for Redbox," said a statement from the company. "The Redbox team also utilizes industry-leading technology to ensure you have a safe shopping experience and aggressively combats attempts by criminals to defraud customers."

The company said it is asking all customers to keep a close eye on the machines they use and to immediately report skimmers to the store manager.

Customers said they said they would continue using the kiosks, but took the scam attempts as a sign of the times.

"You just have to be more vigilant when you use these machines or any type of machine," said Antonio Williams, a Redbox customer.

For more information on the security threats, visit the Redbox Web site.