Results of Statewide Gas Pump Skimmer Sweep Announced

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is once again warning motorists to take care at the gas pumps.

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced the results Thursday morning of a statewide sweep designed to ferret out gas pump “skimmer” devices. That sweep targeted more than 6,000 gas stations across the state and turned up 81 skimmers in all.

Skimmers are high-tech devices meant to capture a person’s debit or credit card information when a card is swiped at the pump. Skimmers are generally placed inside gas pump cabinets, making them very difficult for motorists to spot before they pay.

“From Okaloosa County to Miami-Dade County, these skimmers are being placed on gas pumps throughout the state,” Putnam was quoted in a media release as saying. “Our inspectors will continue to work to safeguard Floridians and tourists who shouldn’t have to worry about having their credit or debit card information stolen as they fuel-up.”

The results of the statewide sweep turned up skimmers in the following counties in the Bay area and nearby:

• Hernando – 2
• Hillsborough – 6
• Pasco – 1
• Pinellas – 1
• Polk – 3
• Sarasota – 1

The Pasco and Hillsborough discoveries were announced in March following a targeted sweep in those two counties.

While it’s very difficult for motorists to spot skimmers, there are measures they can take to protect their information and their money, authorities say.

“You never want to use your debit card, because money comes out instantly,” Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Det. Larry McKinnon warned. Criminals, he added, tend to place skimmers on the end pumps so they can be installed out of view of store employees.

Both the department of agriculture and the sheriff’s office recommend people use credit instead of debit cards at the pump because it’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges. They also recommend paying inside when possible.

See Also:

• Credit Card Skimmers Found at Gas Pumps in 2 Area Counties
• Credit Card Skimmers: What You Need to Know

Catching fraudulent charges right away is also important.

“The most surefire way is to check your credit card statement,” McKinnon said. “Check them a couple times a week if not more.”

McKinnon also recommends consumers exercise caution when using debit cards anywhere since any money swiped comes directly out of a person’s cash reserves instantly.

“I don’t even use a debit card anymore,” he admitted.

For those who must, McKinnon and state officials say it’s best to:

• Only use gas pumps that require ZIP code entry because that provides another layer of protection against skimmers
• Check to make sure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with
• Feel the slot where a card is inserted to make sure it is not loose
• Use a pump as close to the front of the store as possible
• If using a debit card, run it as credit instead of using the PIN number

Thieves don’t just stake out gas stations for stealing credit card information, McKinnon warned. With that in mind, he recommends using credit cards at other locations when possible and getting into the routine of checking statements as frequently as possible. If fraudulent charges are detected on a debit or credit card, it’s also important to alert the issuing bank right away.

For more information about how to safeguard against credit card fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission online.

Photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.