Cash Machine Scams

How Criminals Tamper with Cash Machines to Steal Your Money

Criminals commit fraud at a cash machine in a number of ways:

- Shoulder surfing - where criminals look over your shoulder to watch the PIN being entered, then steal the card using distraction techniques or pickpocketing.

- Card-trapping devices - a device, inserted into a cash machine's card slot, retains your card inside the cash machine. The criminal tricks you into re-entering your PIN while they watch. After you give up and leave, the criminal removes the device with the card and withdraws cash.

- Skimming at cash machines - a device is attached to the card entry slot and a separate miniature pinhole camera is hidden overlooking the PIN pad. This enables the criminal to produce a counterfeit card and withdraw money at a cash machine using the legitimate PIN. These pictures show how hard it can be to spot that a cash machine has been tampered with.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

The PIN reading camera might be housed in a number of ways, for example an innocent looking leaflet enclosure or within a strip of metal.
These miniature cameras are often very well hidden from view.

How to protect yourself from possible fraud:
- Use ATMs you're familiar with so any changes will be more apparent; for example, a false attachment on the front of the machine will jut out a couple inches, or a screen message you've never seen may tip you off that a fraudster has altered the machine.

- Cancel your transaction if you feel uncomfortable in any way.

- ATMs with security cameras (including machines located inside businesses and in business-hours branches) are less likely to attract criminals; seek out these machines when possible.

- Be suspicious if your card is "eaten" by the machine and someone approaches you to say the same thing happened to them, then advises you to enter your PIN again

- Limit your after-hours ATM use.

- Watch for "shoulder surfers" who watch you enter your PIN.

- Keep a watchful eye on your monthly statement, as well as your balance, and report any problems to your bank.

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Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.
The PIN reading camera might be housed in a number of ways, for example an innocent looking leaflet enclosure or within a strip of metal. These miniature cameras are often very well hidden from view.