25 Skimmers Found On Pasco County Gas Pumps

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Watch out the next time you fill up at the gas station. You may be paying for more than just gas.

During a two-day investigation, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office checked 147 gas stations and found 25 skimmers on gas pumps at 16 locations.

Skimmers are malicious card readers illegally attached to the real payment terminals on gas pumps so your credit card information can be stolen when you swipe your credit card at the pump.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said law enforcement agencies have seen an uptick in the use of skimmers in Florida throughout the summer months.

“This scam incorporates some of the worst uses of modern technology to drain victims’ bank accounts and ruin their credit," said Moody. "Floridians must arm themselves with the latest information and take steps to avoid these fraudsters to protect their hard-earned money.”

“Scammers looking to prey off the hard work of Floridians have no place in our great state," Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen said. "While FDLE and our law enforcement partners continue to work to combat scams like this and bring the perpetrators to justice, we urge all Floridians to learn about this and other scams to better protect themselves from becoming victims.”

To protect sensitive financial information, consumers should:

• Pay with cash or a credit card with chip technology instead of a debit card. Most credit cards offer additional fraud protections.
• Monitor transactions on financial accounts regularly to spot any unauthorized charges
• Report unauthorized charges immediately and close down compromised accounts
• Inspect card readers, especially at outdoor locations such as gas pumps and ATMs, to see if a skimming device is placed over the card reader or if the security seal is broken.
• Check with your favorite gas station and make sure attendants are regularly checking the pumps for skimming devices.

For more tips on avoiding skimmer fraud, click here.

To report skimmer fraud, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by calling 1 (800) HELP-FLA or by clicking here.

The sheriff's office said the skimmers were found at the following gas stations:

• 7-Eleven: 4540 Rowan Road, New Port Richey
• Pump #1-one skimmer located
• Star One Food Mart: 15434 U.S. 19, Hudson
• Pump #1-one skimmer located
• 7-Eleven: 15014 U.S. 19, Hudson
• Pump #5-one skimmer located
• 7-Eleven: 27219 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Pump #3-one skimmer located
• In and Out Food Store: 3514 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey
• Pump #4-one skimmer located
• Circle K: 27616 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Pump #7-one skimmer located
• 7-Eleven: 13440 SR 5tate Road, Odessa
• Pump #5 and Pump #6-two skimmers located
• 7-Eleven: 3437 U.S. 19, Holiday
• Pump #7-one skimmer located
• 7-Eleven: 10007 U.S. 19, Port Richey
• Pump #3-one skimmer located
• Citgo: 14106 U.S. 19, Hudson
• Pump #7-one skimmer located
• 7-Eleven: 38544 5th Ave., Zephyrhills
• Pump #4-one skimmer located
• Chevron: 6444 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey
• Pump #1-one skimmer located
• Citgo: 4334 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
• Pump #2 and Pump #3-two skimmers located
• Chevron: 2908 Seven Springs Blvd., New Port Richey
• Pump #6-one skimmer located
• Citgo: 4015 Little Road, New Port Richey
• Pump # 6, Pump # 7 and Pump # 8-three skimmers located
• Citgo: 7820 State Road 52, Hudson
• Pump #3, Pump #4, Pump #5, Pump #6, Pump #7, Pump #8-six skimmers located