SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Springfield Police Detective Bureau is seeking help to identify a suspect allegedly involved in a skimming device incident over the weekend. Skimming devices found at Springfield convenience stores, suspects sought Police are investigating four incidents that occurred over the weekend where a skimmer was found by an employee or retrieved by a suspect inside convenience stores. The person pictured allegedly removed a skimming device from a PO device inside a convenience store. Springfield Police Department If you have any information on this suspect, call the Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or anonymously by Text-A-Tip. Text CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) type SOLVE and your tip. What is a credit card skimmer? Card skimmers are illegal devices installed at gas pumps, ATMs, and other locations that can steal credit and debit card information. When swiped, the skimmer scans your card information and uses Bluetooth to send card information to the thief’s computer or phone. How to detect a card skimmer? Before putting your card into a reader, the FBI says, there are some easy and effective ways to protect your information. Police also warned about other, harder-to-detect skimming devices. These newer devices cannot be detected from the outside. Inspect the reader and look for any loose parts or damage. Scratches or damage to adhesive tape can also be indicators of tampering. Give the skimmer a light shake, and if it feels loose, tell an employee. Cover the keypad with one hand to block any hidden cameras. To be extra careful, pay with cash. Checking card transactions regularly and setting up account alerts can also help you spot suspicious activity. If you notice something wrong, call your card issuer immediately so they can cancel the card and protect your information. You can also alert a staff member if you spot a card skimmer. Tips from the Springfield Police Department Be cautious of using non-bank ATMs. Before using any machine, take a look to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with—red flags are loose, crooked, or damaged card readers. If the numbers are hard to press or feel thick, it might have a false keypad installed and you should move on to the next machine. If you need to enter a PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand in case a camera is recording your number. Local News Headlines Rabies suspected in raccoons in Northampton, Easthampton Local schools see increase in respiratory illnesses One person dies in Greenfield house fire on Silver Street PetSmart Charities helps to improve accessible veterinary care at Dakin Humane Society WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.