TAMPA — State inspectors found six credit card skimmers on gas pumps in Tampa Bay last week, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Skimmers allow thieves to take credit or debit information from people swiping their cards at different machines.

"Keeping consumers safe is one of my top priorities, and we will continue to partner with state, federal and local law enforcement agencies to stop thieves in their tracks," Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said in a statement.

The six area stores mentioned in the report were:

• Causeway Mobil, 11210 Causeway Blvd. in Brandon.

• Mobil Mart No. 542, 1640 W Brandon Blvd. in Brandon.

• 818 Market Place, 818 W Platt St. in Tampa.

• Citgo Quick Mart, 6101 S MacDill Ave. in Tampa.

• Radiant Food Store No. 226, 110 E Bearss Ave. in Tampa.

• 7-Eleven No. 32738, 18934 U.S. Highway 19 in Hudson.

Sheriff's deputies in Pinellas and Pasco, along with officials in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, assisted in the crackdown, according to the statement. Together, they swept 640 gas stations across Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco, removing five skimmers from pumps in Hillsborough and one more from a pump in Pasco.

The department offered a number of tips for avoiding skimmers, advising people to pay cash, make sure pump cabinets have not been opened, and stop at pumps closest to stores. Skimmers are usually placed on the pumps farthest away from store entrances.