Dozens of Card Skimmers Found at Minnesota Pumps

Searching for card skimmers has now become part of the Minnesota Department of Commerce's gas pump inspection routine.

In the last year, 34 skimmers have been found in Minnesota, but only about two-thirds of the state's pumps have been inspected.

Mike Rothman, Minnesota Commerce Commissioner, told Fox 47, "These are sophisticated criminals. They are using sophisticated devices to open these things. You cant even suspect it. These devices are electronic, so they'll capture the data, or sometimes now, the more sophisticated devices will transmit these to a laptop where they are sitting nearby and collecting the data. Then they'll make their credit cards and go off and start stealing from people."

Consumers should inspect the card reader each time they go to pay at the pump. If it appears to have been tampered with, or sticks out further than other card readers, you should avoid using your card and alert the attendant.