Skimming is on the rise and is a serious issue in cities across the U.S. Just recently, Denver police issued an alert to the public after numerous skimming machines were discovered on ATMs located in downtown banks and hotels. Take a few minutes to educate yourself on this sneaky procedure and how you can protect yourself.
What is Skimming?
Cyber-criminals install skimmers, which are malicious card readers, onto payment terminals, such as ATMs, vending machines and gas pumps. The skimmer reads data off a card’s magnetic stripe and stores that data on the payment terminal from every person that swipes their card. Then, the criminal comes back to the machine and takes the file containing the data. With all of that personal information in hand, the thief can create duplicate credit cards or hack into bank accounts to steal money. Skimming is such a sneaky practice, that you can become a victim without even realizing it. So, how can you spot a skimming device?
What Does a Skimmer Look Like?
A typical ATM skimmer is a smaller than a deck of cards and is mounted over the existing card reader. Many criminal will place a hidden camera somewhere facing the number pad, to record people typing in their PIN numbers. Some criminals may also install a fake PIN pad over the actual keyboard to capture the PIN directly, instead of using a camera. To the right is a photo of an actual skimmer being used on an ATM. Notice how the arrows for the card reader are covered partially by the skimmer. That’s one sure sign to look for, because typically there would be more space between the arrows and the card reader. Here are some other tips to stop skimmer in their tracks:
Look for Unusual Characteristics
Check to see if any parts of the ATM machine have been tampered with. Be especially aware of the appearance of the card reader and the feel of the keyboard to see if anything seems out of place. Also, compare the ATM to the one next to it. If they have any differences, don’t use either machine and report the issue to your bank.
Jiggle It!
Remember how you were told to “just jiggle” the handle on the toilet to make it stop running? Well, do the same thing on an ATM machine to check for skimmers. Jiggle the card reader, try to move the keyboard, or push on other suspicious parts. ATMs are sturdy, so any wobbly pieces are likely a red flag.
Think Before You PIN
Even if you don’t suspect a skimmer, always cover your hand when entering your PIN number. The habit will better protect you from cyber criminals and snoopers alike. Your PIN is a crucial piece of data for skimmers to obtain, so by blocking it, you are preventing them from accessing your account.
These tips don’t guarantee you won’t become a victim of skimming, but they can help you keep your information more secure. The important thing here, as with many situations, is to just be aware. If something doesn’t seem right about an ATM, don’t use it and report it to the bank or business where it’s located. We can all work to stay educated on issues like skimming and develop better security practices. Make sure to share these tips with your friends and loved ones to help them keep their data safe.
Source and Photo Credits: PC Mag and How Stuff Works