With the holiday travel season at hand, state officials are recommending ways to avoid having unnecessary pain at the pumps.

While gas prices are generally down across the U.S., scammers have developed the means to still make filling up a more costly experience down the road.

Consumers, drivers and visitors are advised to stay alert for potential credit card “skimming,” where criminals use hidden devices inside fuel pump card readers to steal credit and debit card information, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD.

“As Michiganders prepare to hit the road and visit loved ones this holiday season, MDARD is working diligently to ensure consumers are protected at the pump,” Director Tim Boring said in a news release. “Our inspectors play a vital role in keeping motorists safe from fraud by thoroughly checking for skimming devices during routine inspections, as well as ensuring the quality and quantity of fuel delivered. We want every driver to know that when they fill up, they’re getting exactly what they pay for.”

Simple steps to protect yourself from card skimmers include —

— Choose the pump nearest the cashier. Criminals are less likely to install skimmers near a staff member.

— Inspect the card reader for tampering. Look for loose or discolored panels, exposed wires or unusual scuff marks–these could signal the presence of a skimmer.

— Always select the “credit” option when paying. This avoids entering a PIN that could be stolen by a skimmer. Instead, only a zip code will be needed, which is safer.

— Monitor bank accounts while traveling to catch fraudulent activity.

MDARD also actively collaborates with the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement to investigate and apprehend those responsible for skimming devices, according to the news release.

Consumer protection isn’t just limited to investigating credit card skimming — MDARD states it also ensures fuel quality and pump accuracy.

“Thanks to the hard work of our weights and measures staff, Michigan boasts over a 96% compliance rate on fuel pumps,” added Craig VanBuren, director of MDARD’s Laboratory and Consumer Protection Bureau. “Non-compliance issues can be attributed to various reasons, including display malfunctions or even providing too much fuel. When irregulates are found, MDARD works with station owners and operators to help them get back into compliance.”

While most gas station operators are delivering the proper quality and quantity of fuel, motorists can help increase their protection by —

— Ensuring the price display on the pump is set to zero.

— Verifying the sign on the roadway matches the price on the pump before fueling.

— Requesting a receipt as a record of their purchase.

Consumers are encouraged to report suspected issues, including poor fuel quality or pump discrepancies, through the Motor Fuels Hot Line at 800-MDA-FUEL or 800-632-3835, which is also listed on every gas pump throughout Michigan.

For more information on MDARD’s Weights and Measures Program, go online to www.michigan.gov/wminfo.