FYI: ATM Card Skimmers

From Andrews Federal Credit Union

According to police, an ATM technician recently found skimmers at machines at three 7-Elevens in Bowie, Maryland.

 

Police responding to a report of an ATM that had been tampered with, were told by the service technician that the ATM was rigged with a camera above the PIN pad and a skimming device over the card reader. Read the full story.

 

You may be asking what is an ATM card skimmer. It is a device that is placed over the actual machine’s card reader, often using double-sided tape. The skimmer reads the information off of the magnetic stripe on the card. Complementing that, a camera may be found nearby aimed at the keypad capturing PIN numbers. Once the card information is compromised, it is often used to create counterfeit cards, leading to unauthorized account activity.

 

How can you protect your information?

• The first rule is don’t use an ATM that is in a low traffic or low light area. It is typically considered more secure to use ATMs at banking locations as opposed to standalone machines.
• Use a machine with which you are already familiar whenever possible. It will be easier to detect anything different when you approach it.
• Protect your PIN number by placing your hand or a piece of paper over the keypad when entering your number.
• Since tape is often used to attach the skimming devices, if something looks odd, wiggle it to make sure it doesn’t come loose.
• Don’t necessarily believe the instructions on a sign that looks unusual. Financial institutions will not ask you to swipe your card on a separate reader before putting it into the ATM, for example.
• If someone offers to “help” you use the ATM, immediately decline and leave.
• If the machine doesn’t give you money, or gives you an immediate message that the machine malfunctioned, call the financial institution and let them know.

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