Editor Ross Hammond – ATM Skimming
With technology advancing at such a rapid pace, more and more devices are available that make our lives easier and more convenient. However, those same advances are allowing criminals the same luxuries.
ATM skimming is not an entirely new criminal phenomenon. Skimming refers to the thin façade placed over the card slot on an ATM machine. When you run your card through the slot, the ATM reads the information, but it is also read by a thin card reader held in the false façade. To the untrained eye, the ATM doesn’t look any different. The second part of the skimming process involves the acquisition of your PIN code, which is accomplished by using a small pinhole camera pointed at the number pad. The holes for these cameras can be so small that unless you’re looking intently for one, you’ll probably never see it. These two pieces of information are then either collected and stored in a small memory chip within the false façade, or wirelessly transferred to the person nearby. As I said, these criminals have gotten very smart and very good at their craft, so it’s tough to tell if the ATM has a skimmer in place even if you’re sighted. For the visually impaired population, this creates an even larger potential to become the victim of fraud.
That said, there are some very simple things you can do to protect yourselves. The first is to discontinue using ATM machines altogether. If you need to get some cash, go inside your bank and get your money directly from a teller. Another method that I use quite often is to utilize the “cash back” option that many retailers now offer. For example, if I go to my grocery store and purchase some apples, and I use my debit card at the register, I have the option of being given cash back as part of the transaction. This is beneficial in two ways: one, because there is virtually no risk involved in swiping my card at the register; and two, I avoid being subject to ATM fees. Getting your cash safely while saving a couple bucks is never a bad thing.
If you absolutely must use an ATM and you’re not near your bank or feel like buying apples, you must think about what ATM is available and how secure it is. Outdoor ATM machines are prime targets, as the person installing the skimmer is less likely to be caught when fewer people are around and they have the ability to go to the ATM late at night. ATMs in vestibules are slightly better, but not by a large margin. ATMs inside of banks or well-known and popular establishments are the least likely to have a skimmer because of how many people are around to see someone doing something out of the ordinary.
Another way to make sure you’re protected in case of fraud is to ask your bank about their fraud policies and procedures. Most banks protect their customers from fraudulent charges, but make sure that you’re familiar with your bank’s policy in case you find something wrong.
It was recently brought to my attention that skimmers are being placed on more than just ATM machines, as well. With electronic kiosks popping up all over the place, these people now have more chances to grab your information. A prime example of this would be a ticket kiosk on a train platform. These are becoming popular targets because of how convenient they are for train passengers to use.
What it comes down to is that there are new opportunities for fraud all the time, so we must remain vigilant in our effort to protect ourselves. It might mean that we have to bypass certain conveniences like outdoor ATM’s or ticket kiosks, but those things are quite minor when it comes to the safety of our money and peace of mind.