Last Saturday (Jan. 22), police were called to the Bank of America Branch located in the 600 block of Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. in Severna Park for a recovered ATM skimmer affixed to the ATM machine. Detectives are asking for the public's help in the investigation.

According to a police press report, at 5:26 p.m. officers were called to the scene and spoke with a 48-year-old female, who said that she was using the ATM and noticed what appeared to be a fraudulent device attached to the machine. The woman was able to pry the device from the machine and called police, who retrieved the device.

The ATM skimmer was recovered before the suspect could retrieve the device and obtain customer data. At this time, the Severna Park ATM appears to be the only ATM involved. A preliminary investigation revealed no personal account information was compromised for those who used that ATM machine. Police noted, however, that the investigation is ongoing.

The case is now being handled by county police Financial Crimes Unit and the U.S. Secret Service. Anyone with information pertaining to this case should contact Financial Crimes at 410-222-3433.

To keep your account safe while using Automated Teller Machines, here are a few banking tips from About.com:

• Use secure ATM machines – under video surveillance or inside of a bank lobby. They're less likely to be tampered with. Thieves have to take more risk installing skimmers where there are security cameras.
• Cover the ATM keypad as you're entering your PIN -- just in case there's a hidden camera around.
• Skimming devices will stick out a few extra inches from an ATM. If something looks suspicious, find another ATM. Don't fall for a poor fitting device (or a sticker or sign that says "Swipe Here First", or “Use This Machine Only”).
• If a machine keeps your card, call the bank immediately and report it.
• Don't accept "help" from anybody hanging around the ATM machine. They may say they were having trouble also and you just need to enter your PIN again.
• Keep your eyes on your card if you have any doubts. Don't let a merchant walk off with your card -- even for a few seconds.