Ocala, Florida — A fourth credit card skimmer has been found at a gas station in Marion County.
This one was found at the Qwik King, located at 2400 Southeast 36th Avenue.
According to reports, when Ocala Police Officer Miguel A. Gauthier arrived on the scene he was greeted by Agricultural Inspector Ed Underhill. Underhill informed the officer that while conducting an inspection of the fuel pumps, he located a skimmer attached to the credit card reader inside of pump number four.
Underhill stated that the pump was last inspected in January 2014.
The manager of the store, Neil Patel, told police that he does not have security surveillance by the gas pumps.
In previous incidents, skimmers were found at three separate Kangaroo gas stations.
A skimmer was found on April 10, at 12995 North U.S. 441; March 26 at 14870 South U.S. 441; and on April 1 at 1986 Southwest 27th Avenue.
Authorities said it’s best to use a credit or debit card inside the store when paying for gas. If you pay at the pump and notice a broken or voided security seal, report it immediately and choose a different gas station.
Here’s what consumers should do to avoid skimmers at gas stations:
- Pay in cash inside the store to ensure credit card information stays safe.
- Check to make sure the gas pump 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.
- Try to use a gas pump closer to the front of the store. Thieves often place skimmers at the gas pumps farther away from the store so they aren’t noticed as quickly.
- Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection, and the money is not deducted immediately from an account.
- If using a debit card at the pump, choose to run it as a credit card instead of putting a PIN number in. That way, the PIN number is safe.
Monitor bank accounts regularly to spot any unauthorized charges. - Consumers who suspect their credit card number has been compromised should report it immediately to authorities and their credit card company.
Consumers who have questions can contact The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).
If anyone has any information about this crime, please call the Ocala Police Department at 352-369-7000. Information may also be submitted through our free mobile app MYPD or through Crime Stoppers of Marion County by calling 352-368-STOP(7867), texting tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP, or submitting tips to www.ocalacrimestoppers.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.