Consumer Warrior Clark Howard shares key tip to avoid being ripped off by gas pump skimmers

Jacksonville, FL — It's a crime that unfortunately doesn't seem to be going away.

Card skimmers continue to pop up at gas station pumps in Northeast Florida, but our Consumer Warrior Clark Howard says there is one key thing you can do to keep your money safe--- use a credit card.

Howard says criminals are continuing to use increasingly sophisticated electronic devices to electronically transmit your debit or credit card number, which is then duplicated immediately and used.

"The problem is, if you use a debit card [to pay at the pump], the criminal immediately can empty your checking account. Credit card-- the risks are much more minor, not significant. So, if you do want to buy gasoline with a debit card, go inside, even though its inconvenient," says Howard.

A public records request by our partner Action News Jax, reveals that since January 1, 2018, through October 25, 2018, that more than a dozen skimmers have been found at Duval County gas stations.

1 each was reported in Clay and St. Johns counties. Four were found in Nassau County.