Are criminals targeting Publix ATMs? | News

Zephyrhills, Florida - This week, an illegal electronic skimmer was found on an ATM outside a Zephyrhills Publix grocery store. The device was spotted by an employee shortly after someone attached it to the cash machine.

But officials say the crime is not an isolated incident.

In recent months skimmers have been found on more than a dozen ATM's located outside Publix grocery stores in Florida. That includes four instances in Pinellas County, two instances in Polk County and a skimmer found outside a Publix on Gandy Blvd. in Tampa.

See Also: How scammers can steal your credit card info with skimmers

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating, while Publix is now checking the cash machines every hour in an effort to head off any more crimes.

A Publix spokesperson stressed they are not the only ones who have found the devices on ATMs outside their stores.

Authorities are not sure if all the crimes are related, but are looking into whether one group is responsible.