PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – In recent weeks, both Shell and Hess have reported credit card skimming devices at Florida gas stations, WPTV reports. According to the U.S. Secret Service, more than 130 cases have been reported in the state over the past three years.

“They are gaining access inside the pump,” said John Joyce, the Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa office of the U.S. Secret Service. Skimming devices are small and fit easily inside gasoline pumps. “It still lets the transaction go through but it captures the credit card information,” he said.

One way gasoline stations can protect their customers from this type of fraud is to use security tape over the door of the pump’s credit card reader. That allows an employee or customer to see right away if the tape is secure.

“It's just to stay one step ahead,” said Kevin Dalton, who has put security tape on the pumps at two of his three Florida gas stations. He requires his employees to check the tape on a regular basis. “Each shift is required to come outside and check to make sure that none of them have been tampered with. … And they know what it looks like if it's been tampered with.”

NACS Anti-Skimming Solution?
The WeCare decal is a tamper-evident label that can help retailers identify potential security breaches if skimming devices are inserted at fuel dispensers or other unattended PIN-entry devices. The labels can also help retailers address some of the PCI compliance mandates that are now required.

The security labels are to be used on fuel dispensers near the credit/debit card transaction area. If the label is lifted to insert a skimming device, a "void" message appears on the label, providing a visual alert to store employees so that additional action can be taken. Because the labels clearly indicate that they are to prevent tampering, the labels help assure customers that their data is secure, and discourage criminals targeting the store.

Protect your business and your customers — order the WeCare decals for your stores today.