LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has been vigilant in its inspection of gasoline pumps for skimmers, but one lawmaker thinks the state’s retailers should do more.

“Many gas stations are already taking steps to deal with skimming, but we need to make sure all of them across the state are up to date,” said Rep. Ben Glardon in a press release. “Protection of people’s identities and information is extremely important.”

WJBK-TV reports that MDARD has uncovered 70 skimmers over the past 12 months. Introduced last month, Glardon’s bill would require gasoline stations to do one of the following things to ensure pump security:

• Use pressure-sensitive security tape with a customized graphic placed over the pump panel
• Install a system or device to render the pump or scanning device inoperable when accessed without authorization
• Encrypt customer payment card data within the scanner

However, the bill also allows retailers to submit other security measures for approval by MDARD.

“These additional security measures are requirements with minimal financial burden to gas station owners, but will result in great consumer protection,” he said. “People should keep an eye open for any tampering with [the] gas pump that could be from a credit card skimmer and report it to the attendant.”

For more on skimming and gas stations, read “Secure Your Pumps” from the May issue of NACS Magazine. Additional skimming resources are also available at nacsonline.com/skimming.