Daily Archives: October 3, 2023

Warning: “Skimming” Devices on Gas Pumps

Consumer Protection Division stays vigilant in their inspections

The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office/Department of Weights and Measures is warning of the dangers of “skimmers” after finding them at local gas stations.

On Tuesday, September 5, the department’s Consumer Protection Division was notified by a local gas station that an external keypad and card swipe skimmer were removed by a service agent at a gas pump in Buellton.

After receiving the call, the Consumer Protection Division visited the site and confirmed the two devices were overlay (external) credit card theft devices “skimmers”. A sweep of the surrounding area and stations throughout the county was conducted by the Consumer Protection Division. While no additional skimmers were found during the sweep, adhesive residue on the PIN pad and card swipe reader were found at several other stations countywide. Adhesive residue found on financial components of a fuel filling station or ATM can indicate that an overlay skimmer device was installed and removed from operation at that location.

Skimming devices can be internal or external and come in many shapes or sizes. The intent of installing these is always the same, to steal credit or debit card information, including PIN digits and ZIP codes. The majority of skimming device are installed internally. These intercept customer’s information as its being transferred from the sales system. Additionally, skimmers like those found recently, are installed externally. These retrofit devices are falsely portrayed as a true component of the machine and installed over the top or front of the original. They store the “skimmed” information and are later removed from operation to download that data.

Trends show that skimmers are typically installed at gas pumps furthest from the staff kiosk and where cameras are unlikely to be installed. External skimming devices target credit or debit card swipe readers as well as PIN pads. Customers are encouraged to use “tap” to pay when available to bypass the swiping readers. When not available, going inside the location to pay can also be a financially safer practice.

The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office Consumer Protections Division strives to “level the playing field” when weights and measures are involved in commercial transactions. As a consumer, you should feel assured that you’re getting what you pay for with regard to a product’s weight, volume, count, duration or advertised price. Commercial weighing and measuring devices, package content statements and advertised prices are regularly inspected to ensure their accuracy.

The Consumer Protections Division is taking a vigilant approach in inspection of filling stations countywide and are also providing education and outreach to local station managers. The skimming devices removed from operation are carried by County inspectors and used as a show-and-tell tool to display the level of intricate fraud that’s occurring. Filling station managers are encouraged to use security tape on their equipment and to check for manipulation frequently.

To report suspect equipment at filling stations or improper performance of equipment please contact:

Watch City’s Highlights from Goleta Lemon Fest

We had a ball at the 30th anniversary of the Goleta Lemon Festival this past weekend and loved seeing so many of you there!  Our City of Goleta booth area had non-stop visitors for the entire two-day festival. We enjoyed seeing all of the smiling faces and hearing the laughter as people spun the wheel for a chance to win some of our newly released Live • Work • Play themed giveaways. Some had to pass the City of Goleta beach ball or bounce it ten times to take it home, others did squats, jumping jacks, toe touches or arm circles to get a prize, but everyone walked away a winner. 

Here is a short video clip with highlights from the weekend: https://youtu.be/2fsSiOwpDzs.

More than 600 adults and children participated in the “Guess How Many Lemon Drops in the Jar” contest. Congratulations to Michelle Cronk of Camarillo who guessed the closest on Saturday and Stephen Crosby of Santa Barbara who guessed the closest on Sunday. Each will take home a Goleta Prize Pack with Live • Work • Play merchandise. For those wondering, the correct answer is 591 lemon drops.

We had pages and pages of new sign-ups for our City notifications, don’t get left behind! You can register for City information here.

The Goleta Valley Library booth right next to us was another popular spot with 1,500+ visitors learning about the wonderful programming options. In addition, 86 people signed up and received their free library cards.

Our Sustainability and Environmental Services team members handed out 1,800 Plastic Free Goleta reusable utensil sets, 1,700 metal straws, and 1,000 Creek coloring books.

While there were so many fun moments, one of the best parts as always was watching the pie-eating contests each day. Thanks to our distinguished judges, many including our Mayor and Councilmembers, for helping to pick the winners.

Thanks also to the Goleta Police Department and Goleta CERT for being at the largest Safety Street section ever at the Lemon Festival. The Sheriff’s Office was there in force showing off so many of their specialty units including a helicopter landing and the Mounted Unit.

Finally, we want to congratulate and thank the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce for putting on another awesome Goleta Lemon Festival. Can’t wait till next year to do it all over again.


Michelle’s relatives John and Cheryle Brion with her prize pack


Stephen Crosby holding his prize pack