MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Gardens police have sent out a scam alert after a skimmer was found inside a pump at a gas station.

The skimmer was found at the Shell station at 840 N.W. 183rd Street.

Sometimes skimmers can transmit credit card information to someone who's sitting in a nearby car. Other times, the thief will come back and remove the skimmer after it gets filled with stolen information.

The pump that was accessed illegally has since been repaired and is operating properly.

Officials urge anyone who has been to the station to check their bank statements for any discrepancies or fraud.

Criminals usually use a large vehicle to block the view of a pump while they install the skimmer.

"Police recommend we check the pumps every hour (to) make sure they're not tampered with," one employee said.