Credit card data skimmers were found and removed from fuel pumps at gas stations in North and Northeast Austin in the past two days, the Texas Department of Agriculture reported.

An Ag Department inspector found a skimmer Thursday in pump No. 16 at a 7-Eleven store at 9061 Research Blvd. and another device in pump No. 4 at Yager Food Store, 1006 E. Yager Lane, the department said Friday. Austin police also responded to both scenes and removed the devices.

Thieves install the skimmers to pull personal data from credit and debit cards whenever drivers use them at the fuel pumps, authorities have said.

The Ag Department said the 7-Eleven had been targeted by skimmer thieves before. The American-Statesman reported three skimmers were found there in July 2017 and one skimmer was spotted there in January of this year.

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The Ag Department recommends following these tips to avoid becoming a victim of a gas pump skimmer:

• Use a pump closest to the storefront so store personnel can see you

• Check for unusual bluetooth signals

• Check that the security tape on the pump cabinet has not been damaged.

• Safest way to pay is inside with cash