Oh, and then there's this!
Skimming scam targets gas stations
A computer devise the size of a cigarette lighter can steal your credit card number while you pump gas.
Charles H. Bronson, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, issued a warning Friday to alert consumers of growing scam in Florida in which thieves intercept the numbers on credit cards being used at gas pumps at primarily large stations.
Thieves attach a "skimming" device to the credit card reader at the pump. There is no interruption in pumping gas or getting a receipt while the skimming device records and stores the unknowing consumer's credit card number for later use. The stolen cards are then downloaded onto a computer and are encoded on counterfeit cards.
The Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto county sheriff's offices said they have not received any reports of this happening in the area, though Sarasota County has had similar incidents with the skimming of bank cards at ATMs.
"A person would insert a sleeve in the slot, which would prevent the card from going into the ATM all the way," said Neil Scully, Sarasota County Crime Prevention Officer. "Then they would watch the PIN number being punched in from a distance. They would take the credit card number, steal a hotel room key, and encode the credit card number."
Gas station skimming is so sophisticated, according to Bronson, that authorities have yet to recover any of the devices used in the fraud, though one was recently recovered in California which resembled a large cigarette lighter.
Reports have indicated the fraud has extended to Southwest Florida and stations along interstates and busy highways where large volumes of gas are sold have been targeted.
Bronson's office hasn't received any complaints of the activity, but the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is monitoring the situation and is working with credit card companies and other law enforcement agencies to develop leads to eradicate the scam.
Consumers are advised to try to use a pump closest to the store clerk, where tapping into a credit car reader would be less likely because it could be spotted by store personnel.
Scully also recommended going to a gas station you are familiar with, so you are more likely to notices a change in equipment.
"When you see something different, go ask the cashier," he said. "You'll have to get out of the car, but increases in security always means inconvenience."
Both Bronson and Scully advise people to hold onto their credit card receipts and carefully check their credit card statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
"With the Internet, people can check their statements daily," Scully said.
Scully also suggested credit card holders check their credit report. Once a year, consumers can get a free report. Scully suggests contacting the three big credit reporting services -- Trans Union, Equifax, Experian -- at staggered times so a person could actually get three free credit reports in one year.
Consumers who think they may have been taken by the skimming scam are urged to call their credit card companies immediately and then either Bronson's department at (800) HELP-FLA (800-435-7352) or local law
