PHOENIX, AZ — Some locations in the state have already had six different instances in which officials discovered credit card skimmers.
RELATED: How to protect yourself from credit card skimmers
As of November 11, officials have discovered 95 skimmers across the state.
The most recent discovery included a skimmer located at a gas station in Tempe, located near Warner and Kyrene roads, on October 28. Skimmers were previously discovered at that same intersection on May 1 as well.
Take a look at the map below to see where skimmers were found so far in 2019.
In 2018, the Arizona Department of Agriculture reported a total of 148 credit card skimmers being found across the state. This almost tripled the total number of skimmers found in 2017, which totaled 57.
Now, some scammers are using Bluetooth devices so they can get credit card information wirelessly without having to remove their skimming device at the pump.
But Data Doctors Ken Colburn says there are apps you can use to detect whether Bluetooth is being used at your gas pump.
For iPhones, there's an app called "Card Skimmer Locator" and for Android there's "Skim Plus."
You open these apps and hold your phone near a gas pump to see if it senses Bluetooth technology.
Colburn says they are not 100% effective but that they are worth trying.
Also, to protect yourself at gas stations, try using pumps that are the closest to the store window, where any issues can be better detected by staff.
It is also recommended to never use a debit card since thieves could get directly into a bank account.
In fact, Colburn suggests using a gas card instead of a regular credit card, which would be less desirable to thieves since it could only be used to buy gas.
MORE: Gas stations must install chip readers by 2020
Agency officials tell ABC15 they are now working with gas pump technicians, encouraging them to report skimming devices so they can better track them and look for trends.
