SEA RANCH LAKES (CBSMiami) – An alert customer at a South Florida ATM helped stop a skimming scam in its tracks.

According to Sea Ranch Lakes police, a customer was using a Presto ATM outside of a Publix Supermarket located at 4703 North Ocean Drive on September 3rd when the customer went to the manager to report the machine wasn’t working.

When the manager went out and tried to fix it, she pulled a skimming machine off of the ATM.

Skimmers are devices which collect personal bank account information which are often used by identity thieves on ATM machines.

It’s not known how long this device was on the ATM or if any victims had their bank information stolen.

If you frequent ATMs often, an effective security precaution you can do is simply use your hand or hands to cover your PIN number when entering the 4-digit code into the key pad.

Always use ATMs that are in well-lit and public areas, and to be aware of your surroundings as you approach the cash machine. If you visit a cash machine that looks strange, tampered with, or out of place, then try to find another ATM.