Brooksville man charged with gas skimmer fraud at Bronson, FL Marathon gas station
David Ortiz Barban mugshot.
Ortiz Barban was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center in Brooksville, FL on the following charges: 1 count of grand theft while causing damage to property of another in excess of $1,000, 2 counts of unauthorized access to an electronic device, 2 counts of criminal mischief (interruption or impairment of a business operation), and 1 count of possession of a skimming device. His bond was set at $30,000, and was paid on Oct. 22.
According to a FDACS press release, numerous skimming devices were recovered that had been attached to fuel dispenser pumps. The victim estimated a loss of more than $1,000 due to loss of revenue and the damages and repairs to fuel pumps. Investigators determined that a fuel dispenser had been breached, and inner electronic components had been tampered with. Two male suspects were identified who had opened the fuel pump dispenser door, accessed and altered the electronic components, and stolen an electronic motherboard with a skimming device that had previously been installed. Investigators determined that the license plate used during the commission of the crimes had been attached to additional vehicles since July 29 - and due to the license plate being affixed to an Enterprise Rant-a-Car cargo van, investigators were able to identify David Ortiz-Barban as a person observed in the Marathon gas station's surveillance photographs.
“The Sunshine State is known for beaches and oranges, but also fraud. We are the top state for scams, and gas pump skimmers are a driving factor,” statedFlorida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Skimmers, and the criminals who install them, threaten consumer rights and interests, as well as Floridians’ economic security. Since 2015, FDACS has located and removed over 4,860 skimmers at gas stations throughout the state. FDACS is committed to aggressively pursuing these perpetrators and taking swift action to protect consumers.”
Skimmers:
Skimmers are small electronic devices illegally installed inside gas pumps. They first appeared in Florida in 2015 and have grown exponentially since. FDACS’ Bureau of Standards inspects over 8,700 gas stations each year, and has removed 4,860 skimmers since 2015. The Bureau also inspects pumps for safety and accuracy. Skimmers can be undetectable to consumers because of their location inside gas pumps, and have the potential for $1 million in fraudulent credit card charges, per skimmer. They range from simple devices that clamp onto internal wiring that criminals must later retrieve, to sophisticated devices that deliver stolen credit card data via Bluetooth and automated text messaging. For more information visit FDACS.gov/skimmers.
Since September, FDACS has partnered with local law enforcement offices in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Volusia, Flagler, Orange, Sarasota, St. Johns, Broward, and Bay Counties to perform multiple successful gas pump skimmer sweeps of over 1,500 gas stations.
Consumer tips to avoid fraud at the pump:
Take a close look at the pump: Avoid using pumps that are open or unlocked, have had the tamper-evident security tape cut or removed, or otherwise appear unusual. If unsure, use another pump or pay inside (no at the gas pump) with cash or a credit card.
Use a credit card, not a debit card: If a credit card number is skimmed, you’re protected by the card issuer’s zero-liability policy – but a stolen debit card number could be far more damaging. If you must use a debit card, choose to use it as credit, instead of selecting debit and entering your PIN.
Pay inside, not at the pump: It takes just seconds for criminals to place a skimmer in a gas pump - but it’s far less likely that a skimmer has been placed on the payment terminal in front of the clerk inside the gas station or convenience store. Take the few extra minutes to pay inside with cash or a credit card to protect yourself from fraud.
Choose gas pumps closest to the physical building: Don’t use gas pumps out of the attendant’s line of sight such as those around a corner or behind a building. Thieves placing skimmers are less likely to put them in pumps where the store attendant may catch them in the act.
Check card statements and sign up for fraud alerts: Nearly every credit card issuer offers fraud alerts, and many will email or text you when your card is used at a gas station. Check your credit card and debit card transactions frequently to make sure no fraudulent activity has occurred.
If you suspect that a gas pump skimmer may be installed at a gas pump, contact the FDACS; ALL consumer complaints will be investigated. To file a consumer complaint, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (in Spanish).