Skimmer Found on Sarasota Gas Pump

SARASOTA, FL — Motorists who fill up at the 7-Eleven in the 5000 block of Clark Road in Sarasota may want to check their credit and debit card accounts. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office says a service technician discovered a skimming device on one of the station’s pumps on Sunday.

Deputies say the skimmer was found around 7 p.m. Sept. 18 and reported to the sheriff’s office. It is unclear how long the device might have been in place.

“Customers who have purchased gas at this location are encouraged to check their bank statements for any suspicious transactions, no matter how small the amount,” the sheriff’s office urged in a media release about the discovery.

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.

Credit card skimmers are an ongoing concern in Florida. In April 2015, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced it had worked with local law enforcement agencies across the state to check more than 6,000 gas stations. All told, about 81 skimmers turned up.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office recommends people follow these tips when buying gas:

• Pay inside with cash, if possible. If cash isn’t available, use a credit card instead of a debit card because of better fraud protection.
• Check for signs of tampering at the pump, including a broken security seal over the door. If something looks out of place, notify station employees.
• Monitor bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. If something looks wrong, contact the bank or creditor immediately.

Anyone with information about the Sarasota skimming device case is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 941-861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS.

Photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office