ATM skimming devices capture account information that is stored electronically on your card’s magnetic strip. When you swipe your card into a skimmer it reads this information and stores it to be used by the thief. Some skimmers are so advanced that a pin-hole camera records your PIN as you punch it in on the machine’s keypad.
There are two kinds of ATM skimming devices: those that interfere with the ATM and those that don’t.
ATM skimmers that interfere with the ATM are easier to detect. The thieves build a faux face for an ATM. The fake face is attached to the ATM and contains a skimmer that looks like a regular card reader. You swipe your card but you don’t receive any cash—because you swiped your card through the skimmer, not the ATM machine’s card reader. You may even receive an error message on the fake screen.
In cases where the ATM skimming device doesn’t interfere with the ATM, the skimmer is placed over the card reader without blocking it. The withdrawal takes place as normal—you get your cash but the thieves have recorded your account information.
Skimmers aren’t limited to ATMs. Cash registers can also be modified to capture account information using skimming devices.
So how can you protect yourself from skimming? Here are some tips to help you from becoming a victim:
Keep your PIN safe. Don’t give it to anyone. Enter it discreetly when needed.
Be suspicious of anyone trying to “help” you at an ATM.
Look at the ATM you are using. If anything looks suspicious, don’t use it.
If your card is not returned after a transaction or after pressing cancel, contact the institution that issued the card.
Check your account statements—including those accounts you don’t use regularly.
