Credit Card Skimmers: What You Need to Know

After active credit card skimmers were recently found at gas stations in two Tampa Bay area counties, Patch readers asked for more information on how they could defend themselves from thieves who use these high-tech devices to drain credit lines and bank accounts dry.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office both offered some insights.

Since skimmers are generally placed inside gas pump cabinets, as was the case with all six found during the March sweep, consumers may find they have a hard time detecting them on their own. Even so, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Larry McKinnon said there are ways for motorists to defend against at-the-pump theft.

“You never want to use your debit card, because money comes out instantly,” he 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

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.

Photos of recently recovered gas pump skimmers courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services