Monica Moran // Franklin County, Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano announced today that a recent countywide sweep of gas stations by staff inspectors found no credit card skimmers in the pumps’ card readers.
The round of inspections, which took place over two days this week, was part of a statewide effort that several Ohio counties participated in. More than 60 stations were inspected by five inspectors from the Auditor’s office Weights and Measures Department staff, and a sticker (see below) was affixed to the pumps verifying the inspection.
Skimmers are devices installed by would-be thieves which illegally harvest credit card information from gas station credit card readers.
“I am happy to report that Franklin County consumers are safe from the fraud caused by illicit credit card skimmers, and I want to thank the station owners and employees for working with us to keep credit card information safe from would-be criminals. Our office will remain vigilant to prevent this kind of fraud in the future,” Stinziano said.
In addition to increased inspections, more station owners are now using customized keys for their gas pumps and card readers.
For more information on how the Auditor’s office works to protect consumers from fraud, including a map of gas stations across Franklin County, visit the office’s Weights and Measures website.