Man accused of using cloned credit card to steal over $1K in diesel from gas station
By Carson Zorn, Edward Franco
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NORTH FORT MYERS, Florida (WBBH) — A man was arrested at a gas station in North Fort Myers after being accused of using a cloned credit card to steal more than $1,400 of diesel.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene at a Love’s truck stop on Tuesday in response to a credit card fraud in progress.
Deputies found Antonio Miranda Fonte, 38, using a cloned credit card to steal 248 gallons of diesel worth $1,460.47, LCSO said.
“The way the gas prices and fuel prices are right now, people are resorting to, you know, the bottom of the barrel to, to get by,” said Michael Noland, a truck driver from Arcadia, Florida, who saw the scene.
The credit card belonged to a Tennessee company, which confirmed it was not being used in Florida and was with the driver in Illinois.
Deputies searched Fonte’s vehicle and found a device used to clone credit cards, according to LCSO.
“It just sucks because it gives truckers a real bad name. And that’s 95% of the industry is not like that,” said Noland.
Fonte was arrested and faces charges of grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and possession of an encoder with intent to defraud.
“Our suspect, previous criminal history, in 2010, he was already charged and convicted of using fraudulent credit cards,” said Carmine Marceno.
Experts say protecting yourself from credit card fraud starts with simple steps.
“Maybe you’re at a gas station and you think I might have used a skimmer, use the app and log into your account, and you can turn that card off,” said Carrie Kerskie, a fraud prevention expert.
For drivers on the road, it’s a reminder to stay alert.
“Be vigilant, be cautious out there, it’s your money,” said Noland.
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