Baba Mtu
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 28, 2008
- 870
- 168
The next time you pull up to an ATM, take a closer look at the machine. Does it look a little clunkier than usual?
Look too at what's around you: Are there mirrors? Is there a brochure holder over your shoulder? Does it look like there might be a false panel or an extra light bar attached to the machine?
If something looks or feels amiss, walk away. You might save yourself from perpetuating a consumer fraud called ATM skimming. That's when thieves attach devices onto the ATM machines that will copy a credit- or debit-card number, the information on the magnetic strip and even your personal identification number.
"Many consumers may not be aware that an ATM has been tampered with because they're not educated about this," said Robert Vamosi, a security, risk and fraud research analyst at Javelin Strategy & Research.
Consider this your lesson.
Sophisticated skimming devices placed right over a card-reader slot allow scammers to capture the information embedded on the magnetic strip of your debit or credit card.
They also might have what's called a pinhole camera mounted over your shoulder -- say, in a plastic holder for brochures or a false panel -- that records your fingers tapping in your PIN. Or there could be an overlay on the keypad that does so.
Within seconds, they have all they need to duplicate your card.
More details click here
watch-out-for-atm-skimming: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
By Jennifer Waters
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Look too at what's around you: Are there mirrors? Is there a brochure holder over your shoulder? Does it look like there might be a false panel or an extra light bar attached to the machine?
If something looks or feels amiss, walk away. You might save yourself from perpetuating a consumer fraud called ATM skimming. That's when thieves attach devices onto the ATM machines that will copy a credit- or debit-card number, the information on the magnetic strip and even your personal identification number.
"Many consumers may not be aware that an ATM has been tampered with because they're not educated about this," said Robert Vamosi, a security, risk and fraud research analyst at Javelin Strategy & Research.
Consider this your lesson.
Sophisticated skimming devices placed right over a card-reader slot allow scammers to capture the information embedded on the magnetic strip of your debit or credit card.
They also might have what's called a pinhole camera mounted over your shoulder -- say, in a plastic holder for brochures or a false panel -- that records your fingers tapping in your PIN. Or there could be an overlay on the keypad that does so.
Within seconds, they have all they need to duplicate your card.
More details click here
watch-out-for-atm-skimming: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
By Jennifer Waters
Wednesday, October 13, 2010