ATLANTA (AP) Georgia fuel inspectors are checking gas station pumps for illegal devices that are used to steal customers' financial information.
Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said inspectors are checking pumps throughout the state to discourage potential criminals after similar devices were found in Alabama and Florida.
Card skimmers are devices that can be attached to gas pumps and other electronic devices that secretly record customers' debit and credit card information.
Inspector Exavier Nash says authorities typically test how secure card slots are and check keypads to make sure they're flat and that devices haven't been placed on top of them.
In a Friday afternoon interview with AccessWDUN, Black said it's a good idea for Georgia motorists to check gas pumps before they use their credit cards to make sure the pumps don't appear to have been tampered with. He also suggested using the pumps located closest to the convenience store or gas station in clear view of the store attendant. Plus, he said, it's good to pay with cash when possible, since identity theft is impossible on cash transactions.
AccessWDUN's B.J. Williams contributed to this story.
