Number of skimmers found on gas pumps, ATMs in Florida this year already tops 2016, officials say

ORLANDO, Fla. — Local and state officials said during a news conference Wednesday that skimming devices at gas pumps and ATMs are a growing problem statewide.

Almost 300 skimming devices have been found at gas pumps throughout Florida since January, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said.

The number found in 2017 is nearly 100 more than the state discovered in all of 2016, officials said.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said skimmers continue to be a source of fraud in the county, especially in the tourism district.

Demings said 19 skimmers have been found in the county in the past 18 months, two of which were found in the past week.

The devices are used to collect consumers' debit or credit card information. People who have their personal information stolen lose an average of $1,000.

Putnam said that newer gas stations have updated technology that prevent consumers from using tampered gas pumps

"The filling stations are now upgrading to different locking mechanisms," Putnam said. "The newest ones have automatic shutoff valves so that (a) pump cannot be used if someone has entered it without entering the appropriate codes.

"There are newer technologies coming along to allow the public additional layers of protection."

To better protect themselves, state officials suggest that drivers only use pumps that are in the direct line of sight of employees inside the business.

Skimmers are more often than not installed on pumps along the periphery of the gas station, they said.

Anyone who suspect a skimmer has been placed on a gas pump or ATM machine is asked to call the non-emergency line of a local law enforcement agency.

Cox Media Group