Credit Card Skimmers Found at Gas Pumps in 2 Area Counties

The good news is that 634 gas stations in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties received an all clear during a multi-agency sweep to uncover illegal skimming devices.

The bad news is that skimmers, which are used to steal credit card information, were recovered from six stations. Five of those stations were in Hillsborough and one was in Pasco.

The joint operation was conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough sheriff’s offices.

Criminals place skimmers on gas pumps and ATMs in an effort to capture credit card information. That information is then used to make purchases in other people’s names.

According to the state, the stations where skimmers were found are located at:

• Causeway Mobil, 11210 Causeway Blvd., Brandon
• Mobil Mart, 1640 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon
• 818 Market Place, 818 W. Platt St., Tampa
• CITGO Quick Mart, 6101 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa
• Radiant Food Store, 110 E. Bearss Ave, Tampa
• 7–Eleven, 18934 U.S. Highway 19, Hudson

“Keeping consumers safe is one of my top priorities, and we will continue to partner with state, federal and local law enforcement agencies to stop thieves in their tracks,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam was quoted in a media release as saying. “Consumers should be aware of gas station skimmers and take steps to protect themselves.”

The state recommends consumers take these steps to protect themselves against skimmers:

• Pay in cash inside the store
• Check to make sure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with
• Use a pump as close to the front of the store as possible
• Use a credit card instead of a debit card since credit cards tend to have better fraud protection and money is not always immediately detected
• If using a debit card, run it as credit instead of using the PIN number
• Monitor bank accounts frequently to check for unauthorized charges

If information has been compromised, consumers should report thefts to local law enforcement and their credit card companies or banks immediately.

Patch file photo

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.