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The practice uses small devices that swipe credit information as people swipe debit or credit cards.
Such devices, called skimmers, were apparently furtively installed as early as late April on some Wawa gas pumps in Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties, as well as New Castle County, Del., according to the Pennsylvania State Police.
The stolen debit card information was then used to withdraw money directly from bank accounts.
Tens of thousands of dollars were taken from several dozen accounts, according to Trooper Christopher Shoap of the Media Criminal Investigation Unit.
Some victims probably haven't realized it yet. "We're collecting new complaints on a regular basis," he said.
The withdrawals were made at automated teller machines at convenience stores and Atlantic City casinos.
Authorities are looking for two men photographed by surveillance cameras.
Skimmers were found in pumps in Concord Township, Downingtown, Bristol and Uwchlan Township, and evidence of tampering with a pump was found in New Castle, Del., police said.
"The incidents occurred several weeks ago and were swiftly addressed," according to a statement released by Wawa. "The problem is not widespread, but we are taking it very seriously."
A Bryn Mawr co-op was also apparently victimized early last month.
The devices were actually installed inside the pumps, making them difficult to detect, Shoap said.
Investigators are unsure if employees may have played a role. "We don't have any information to suggest that," he said.
Reports of skimming have been increasing across the nation, since 2006, and gas stations are not the only places to be wary.
Last year, skimmers were found on ATM machines inside three Delaware Wawas, according to Delaware State Police.
Restaurant customers from New York to Florida were charged for more than $3 million in fraudulent purchases, according to prosecutors who brought indictments against 13 people in April of last year.
In those cases, credit card readers were knowingly used by restaurant workers, not by unwitting customers.
Last October, a skimmer was found on a movie rental machine at a Florida grocery store, according to an online report.
New Jersey has not seen problems with skimmers at gas pumps, most likely because the state outlaws self-service, said state police spokesman Lt. Gerald Lewis.
A skimming device that is detectable by consumers looks like a cover that slips over the regular card reader, according to Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh of the Delaware State Police.
"The easiest way for people to protect themselves is to give a little tug on the card reader," he said. "It should not pop right off."
If it does, notify the store and the police.
Besides avoiding devices that look suspicious, experts suggest paying inside, instead of at the pump.
In restaurants, consumers could try to watch their card being scanned.
People should also promptly and carefully check their statements, especially with debit cards.
Contact authorities quickly if you do suspect fraud.
Anyone with information about the Philadelphia area cases, including the two men in the photographs, should call state police in Media at 484-840-1000.
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