Brent Batten: Gas pump locks proposed in Collier to prevent credit card theft

The answer to a form of high-tech theft that involves electronic lifting and transmitting of debit card information could be as simple as a $3 lock.

Collier Commissioner Burt Saunders on Tuesday suggested the county follow Cape Coral's and Charlotte County’s lead and adopt an ordinance to deter gas pump skimmers.

The devices are surreptitiously planted in pumps and record the credit or debit card information of users. The thieves can then sell the information or use it themselves to make purchases or cash withdrawals.

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A rash of such incidents was discovered in Charlotte County a year ago, but local cybersecurity expert Carrie Kerskie says the practice isn’t confined to that area.

Most of the skimmers found in Southwest Florida so far have been in Lee County. They also have been found in Collier County.

“It’s a big problem. They’re found everywhere. They’re very hard to detect. They’re notorious,” she said.

By opening the front of a gas pump, the thieves can implant a skimmer that records data from inserted cards, including their PIN numbers.

Using Bluetooth technology, the thieves can later retrieve the data from the skimmer just by pulling up to the pump and downloading it onto a laptop computer.

Gas pumps are typically locked, but the keys tend to be universal.

“Keys are readily available online,” Kerskie said.

Tape also seals the opening, but the tape is available commercially, Saunders said, meaning the thieves can just tape over the broken seal.

The Charlotte County ordinance, adopted by commissioners there last month, requires each gas station to have unique locks with keys kept on the premises. Failing to do so could result in a code enforcement violation and a  fine of $250 per day.

Saunders said the new locks cost just a few dollars each.

Cape Coral passed an ordinance similar to Charlotte’s in March. Saunders thinks Cape Coral was the first city to tackle the problem.

“Initially, they had some pushback from the state agencies,” Saunders said.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is charged with monitoring the accuracy and safety of the pumps and needs access to the inner workings. Individual keys would hinder that mission.

“But even the state agencies came around and said, ‘You have to do something,’ ” Saunders said.

More:Gas card skimmer deterrent rules introduced in Estero

Saunders asked the county attorney to draft an ordinance for Collier County. His colleagues on the commission agreed to consider the ordinance once drafted.

He believes station owners will be amenable to the change.

“I don’t think enforcement is going to be an issue,” Saunders said.

Municipal governments are addressing the problem now, but Saunders said a statewide effort is called for.

“Hopefully, the state Legislature will make it a little more difficult for them to steal your information,” he said.

Kerskie said whatever the county ends up doing, it will have to remain vigilant.

High-tech criminals are always looking for new ways around whatever security steps are taken.

She said the latest generation of skimmers, called microskimmers, have appeared outside the U.S., primarily on ATM machines. Thieves can plant the tiny devices directly in the card slot. “You can’t detect them,” she said.

Still, a local gas pump ordinance will help.

“At least it’s a step in the right direction,” she said.

Connect with Brent Batten at brent.batten@naplesnews.com, on Twitter @NDN_BrentBatten and at facebook.com/ndnbrentbatten.

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