Due to the recent increase in card skimmers being found at local gas stations, County Commissioners in Charlotte County voted Tuesday to approve a countywide ordinance, that aims to increase protection for consumers by requiring gas station owners to place security measures on each pump.
Credit card skimmers, devices that are installed in or on gas pumps, are being used to illegally capture and steal credit and debit card information.
The use of gas skimmers is a growing concern throughout Charlotte County and officials hope that employing this ordinance will help to prevent the installation of card skimmers and protect customers purchasing fuel by restricting the unauthorized access of customer debit and credit card information at gas pumps.
As a part of this ordinance, each gas pump in the county with a scanning device will be required to have a lock placed on its' exterior. The lock will require an access key, unique to each gas station location, and must be maintained at the gas station at all times. Any gas station owner or operator that chooses to install an alternative security measure must demonstrate compliance with the County Sheriff's Office.
Failure to comply with the sanctions outlined in the ordinance may result in fines of $250 per gas station, per day. The new ordinance will take effect January 1, 2019.
