March 10, 2015
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Bronson area
gas station at the request of the manager. The manager reported finding a
device attached to one of the pumps which was not part of the normal operating
components. The manager removed the device and turned it over to our office. He
was not able to determine how long the device had been in use on this pump. Only
one device has been found, but Investigators are looking at other locations to
verify no other devices have been installed throughout the county.
Research has determined the device is a “skimmer.” The
device is used to collect the credit card account number, card name and other information
the magnetic card strip contains. This information is then used to make a “clone”
of the unsuspecting card owner’s card, and can be used in various locations
throughout the world to make purchases.
The LCSO is urging all Levy County Citizens to closely
monitor their bank and credit card accounts on a daily, if not more frequent
basis, to quickly identify fraud. Should you notice unauthorized charges on any
of your accounts, quickly call your financial institution and freeze the
account and then call LCSO to make an official report.
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"Know Something We Don't" Call Crime Stoppers 1-877-349-8477 remain anonymous.