PHOENIX β Authorities say criminals are upping the stakes when it comes to stealing credit and debit card information at gas pumps around Arizona.
State Department of Agriculture officials say 12 skimmers have already been found in the first 12 days of this month.
That compares with 11 skimmers found last year between Aug. 1 and 12.
Authorities say the criminals also are making it more difficult to find the devices inside the gas pumps by attaching skimmers to the circuit boards.
So far this month, skimmers have been found at gas pumps in Tempe, Glendale, Phoenix and Yuma.
Since Jan. 1, 40 skimmers have been found around the state.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a law this year to increase the felony penalty when criminals use skimmers for financial gain.
