Charlotte County stepping up efforts to prevent card skimmers

Reporter: Nicole Lauren
Published: Updated:
Photo via MGN

To protect your money, Charlotte County is getting even tougher on credit card crooks.

Since the start of 2019, there have been 17 reports of skimmers in Charlotte County, and people tell WINK News they are extra cautious when going to the pump.

“Because there’s so many scammers now and on the gas pumps and people are stealing your identity,” said Port Charlotte resident, Sheri Abarr.

The updated skimmer ordinance will include daily checks of gas pump readers, as well as state approved measures.

It will also require owners to alert the Department of Agriculture an Consumer Services within three days if a skimmer is found.

One woman says her boyfriend was a victim to this, but luckily his bank caught it, but now they are extra cautious.

“A couple days later he went to go use his card again and it was declined. The bank had notified him that his account had been compromised and it was being used in Colorado for an over $600 purchase,” Port Charlotte resident, Barbara Williams said.

With the new ordinance, if a business is caught in violation, it could cost them $250 a day.

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