TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last week Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill that requires fuel retailers to increase security measures that combat skimming.

The Sun-Sentinel reports that card skimming at dispensers has been on the rise in Florida. The legislation was introduced last year by state Sen. Anitere Flores and supported by the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (FPMA).

Specifically, the new law:

• Requires self-service fuel dispensers to use certain security measures to prevent theft of consumer financial information;
• Increases enforcement authority against those who possess or traffic fraudulent credit cards;
• Reclassifies the crime of unlawful conveyance of fuel, which increases the maximum sentence; and
• Increases the offense level of the crime, which affects the sentencing guidelines.

The FPMA issued a statement applauding enactment of the bill, noting that it will help protect consumers from illegal gas pump skimmers by establishing increased safety standards for all Florida gas pumps, as well as increasing penalties for anyone tampering with gas pumps.

“By signing this important bill into law, Governor Scott is helping to safeguard the financial information of Florida’s consumers, business owners and visitors by ensuring increased security is applied at each of Florida’s more than 6,000 gas pumps,” said FPMA Executive Director Ned Bowman.