TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Law enforcement officials and state lawmakers held a press conference to celebrate a new law banning the possession of credit card skimmers.
Previously, a person could own the devices used to steal credit card information, making it difficult for law enforcement to catch scammers.
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Now, law enforcement can charge a person with a third-degree felony for possession of a skimmer, and then collect the data stored on the device to further prosecute the scammer for fraud.
“Skimmers have no purpose other than to record and steal fraudulent credit card information, which then is uploaded or used to create false credit cards and steal peoples identities, and we, the taxpayers, ultimately pay dearly,” Rep. Roberto Asencio said.
The law took effect Oct. 3. Florida is the first state to ban the devices.