On January 28th, 2016, detectives with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit, in conjunction with investigators from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Cape Coral Police Department, conducted gasoline station inspections, throughout Lee County, looking for illegal skimming devices.
Illegal skimming devices capture credit card and debit card information of unsuspecting citizens and visitors which in turn is used for fraudulent purchases. Sheriff Mike Scott and the men and woman of the Sheriff’s Office along with partner agencies are committed in protecting the citizens of Lee County with proactive efforts such as this inspection operation.
These types of skimmers are usually placed inside gas pumps and are not visible from the outside. Citizens are reminded to look for intact security seals and utilize gasoline stations that have the most advanced security measures in place to protect against pump tampering.
Ninety four (94) gas stations were inspected and four (4) skimming devices were located. Investigation of the confiscated devices is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding illegal “skimmers” is encouraged to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).