Skimmers Found On 4 Tampa Bay-Area Gas Pumps

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Tampa Bay area residents who bought gas in Pinellas County over the past few weeks may want to monitor their credit and bank accounts closely. Four credit card skimmers were found on pumps within the county during a statewide sweep last week of nearly 500 gas stations ahead of spring break 2017.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted last week's sweep that involved inspections at gas stations across the state. The 500 or so stations targeted in the effort were selected because of their locations in popular spring break destinations, the agency explained.

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.

“If undetected, the number of consumers victimized by each skimmer averages around 100 per device,” the department wrote in a Monday email to media. The average loss per victim is about $1,000, the department estimated.

In the Tampa Bay area, the department focused on Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Largo in its sweep. A total of 66 gas stations were inspected, with four skimmers found as follows:

• One Stop, Giant BP, 6151 4th St. N., St. Petersburg
• One Food of Pinellas, 901 4th St. N., St. Petersburg
• Quick Mart of Largo, 1990 West Bay Drive, Largo. Two skimmers were found at this station.

Inspections also took place in the Panhandle, Miami, Orlando and Daytona Beach areas, among others.

“From Okaloosa County to Miami-Dade County, these skimmers are being placed on gas pumps and stealing from unsuspecting residents and visitors,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “We will continue to crackdown on these devices - and the criminals responsible for them.”

Skimmers are an ongoing concern in the Tampa Bay area, and not just at gas pumps. Earlier this year, several skimmers were found on ATMs in Tampa.

Motorists who want to protect themselves from skimmers at gas station pumps are urged by the department of agriculture to consider 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 courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office