Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office warns of skimmers

Gas prices are already high, but that hasn’t stopped criminals from attempting to exploit unsuspecting drivers at the pump.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office warns residents to stay vigilant against skimmers at gas stations.

The Sheriff’s Office recently arrested an individual who was found with tools typically used to install skimmers. They urge the community to remain cautious.

“As a retired person who’s now on a fixed income, our greatest concern is all these kinds of thefts that can happen and potentially, you know, be a scam that causes a bankruptcy or lost all of all your earnings that you’ve saved over the years,” said Chuck Anderson, a shopper.

Naika Fuentes, a Charlotte County resident, shared her concerns, “What if that’s the way that you provide for your children? What if that’s the last dollar that you would have had to eat?”

Employees at the 7-11 on Piper Road and Jones Loop mentioned a recent arrest near their pumps, though deputies have not specified locations where skimming incidents have occurred.

“Put them in jail for a long, long time,” Anderson said.

Jim Niebling, another shopper, expressed his worries, “We’re right near the airport, so we’re here to pick somebody up. So that’s what I’m thinking about. And all of a sudden, something like this could happen to me.”

To protect yourself, inspect card readers before use. Look for scratches, broken seals, loose parts, or exposed wires. If anything seems unusual, consider paying inside or using cash.

“There’s a seal on this recorder there; there’s nothing that looks like it’s out of place. This looks like it’s all been original, your keypad, similarly, that nothing like that has been modified,” said Anderson.

If you suspect you’re a victim, report it to law enforcement, the gas station, and your bank immediately. The FBI also recommends using tap-to-pay, as these transactions are more secure and less likely to be compromised.