Skimmers Found On 2 Pinellas Gas Pumps

SEMINOLE, FL — Motorists are once again being warned to check their credit and debit card accounts for fraudulent charges after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies found skimmers at two gas stations. The illegal devices were found on pumps in Palm Harbor and unincorporated Seminole.

Both cases were reported to deputies on Thursday. In the first case, deputies responded to the Speedway at 2734 U.S. Alternate 19 in Palm Harbor around 5:10 a.m. April 20. Once there, they were told employees found a skimming device on pump No. 2.

Deputies say the gas pump was forced open and the skimmer was installed sometime between 3:45 a.m. April 19 and 3:45 a.m. April 20.

A few hours after uncovering that skimmer, the sheriff’s office was called out to the Speedway at 11708 Seminole Blvd. An employee at that gas station found a skimmer on pump No. 1, the sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media.

In the Seminole case, the sheriff’s office said employees received an alert from the pump around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, that someone had tampered with it. Staff members inspected the pump and found the device.

“Detectives say that employees took appropriate action and immediately shut down the gas pump before any customers could utilize it,” the email noted.

Surveillance video pulled from the Seminole Speedway revealed a black SUV pulling up to pump No. 1 around 8:15 p.m. April 19. A man got out of the passenger side of the SUV and went into the store “while at least one other suspect remained with the vehicle at the gas pump,” the email said. The man who entered the store never made a purchase, the sheriff’s office said.

The suspect deputies are looking for is described as being a white or Hispanic male between the age of 35 and 45. He was wearing a white hat, blue long-sleeve shirt, light-colored jeans that were ripped at the knees and dark shoes.

Anyone who bought gas at the two stations is asked to check with their banks for any unauthorized purchases. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information in the cases is asked to call Det. James Holden at 727-582-6200. Tips may also be submitted via Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-873-TIPS or by going online to www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.

Skimmers are electronic devices that are placed on gas pumps to allow thieves to record credit and debit card information. Skimmers are generally placed inside the gas pump cabinets, making them very difficult for motorists to spot before they pay.

Motorists who want to protect themselves from skimmers at gas station pumps are urged by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to consider taking these steps:

• Pay cash inside the store
• Check the gas pump dispenser cabinet to make sure it is secure and its safety tape has not been broken
• Use gas pumps that are closer to the front of the store
• Use a credit card to pay instead of a debit card since they tend to have better fraud protection
• If using a debit card at the pump, run it as credit to avoid using the PIN number
• Monitor bank accounts regularly

Photo and video courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office