TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Sunshine State is experience a rash of skimming. State inspectors have checked more than 6,000 gas stations and found 81 skimmers at gasoline dispensers throughout Florida, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said.
The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has been performing statewide sweeps checking gasoline dispensers for skimming devices that capture consumers' credit-card and debit-card information.
“From Okaloosa County to Miami-Dade County, these skimmers are being placed on gas pumps throughout the state,” Putnam said. “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 counties and numbers of skimmers found are as follows:
- Alachua (2)
- Bay (1)
- Brevard (5)
- Broward (9)
- Charlotte (1)
- Citrus (2)
- Duval (3)
- Hernando (2)
- Hillsborough (6)
- Lee (2)
- Marion (2)
- Martin (3)
- Miami-Dade (14)
- Okaloosa (2)
- Orange (4)
- Osceola (2)
- Palm Beach (8)
- Pasco (1)
- Pinellas (1)
- Polk (3)
- Sarasota (1)
- St. Lucie (1)
- Sumter (1)
- Suwannee (2)
- Volusia (2)
- Walton (1)
Putnam did not name any of the gas stations where inspectors found the skimming devices.
He told consumers to check to make sure the gasoline dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with. Many stations are now putting a piece of security tape over the cabinet to ensure it has not been opened by unauthorized individuals. He also recommended using a gas pump closer to the front of the store. Thieves often place skimmers at the dispensers farther away from the store so they are not noticed as quickly, he said.
And he suggested that consumer pay in cash inside the store.
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