Skimmers Found on ATMs in Whitemarsh, Whitpain

ATM skimmers ― illicit devices that blend into a cash machine's card slot, then record bank card info for later retrieval by a thief ― were found on two Wells Fargo ATMs along Skippack Pike in Whitpain and Whitemarsh townships on Jan. 5 and 6, according to PhillyBurbs.com

Authorities believe that the devices were discovered quickly and that no customer accounts were compromised.

Other skimmers have recently been found on ATMs in Bucks County and in Medford, NJ.

Security expert Brian Krebs told KYW Newsradio that ATM skimmers are growing increasingly sophisticated and difficult to spot.

One way to defend yourself, Krebs said, is to shield your PIN entry with your hand whenever you enter it into the ATM keypad, even if nobody else is physically present. Obscuring the keypad from view will prevent your PIN entry from being observed by tiny cameras that are often installed in conjunction with the skimming device.

If you believe you may have been victimized by a skimmer, inform your bank or credit union immediately. Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, your liability is limited to $50 if you notify your financial institution within two days of discovering the theft. If you wait longer, you could be responsible for additional losses.