UnBankingUnBelievable

Fraud is a growing trend in our society and I think it’s about time we sat down and chatted about some ways to protect yourself. Today’s topic – ATM fraud. So, pull up a seat and let’s get started.

Skimming is the most prevalent form of fraud these days as far as ATMs go – it’s been named one of the top ten fraud threats for 2010.

What is it?

Skimming is a method of stealing account information during an ATM transaction. Most of the time a fraudulent card reader is placed on top of the ATM card reader and the thief gets your account number when you slide your card.

Here are a few tips to keep your account safe:

• Be wary of anything about the ATM that looks out of the ordinary, such as out-of-place wires or equipment.
• Look for a ‘no tampering’ sign. Crooks often place these to stop anyone curious about a new piece of equipment.
• Steer clear of a jammed ATM that forces people to use a nearby ATM. Often, the criminal will disable other ATMs in the area to draw users to the machine with a skimming device.
• Always check accounts regularly to make sure there are no unauthorized transactions.
• Protect your PIN – don’t give your number out to anyone.

This entry was posted on March 16, 2010 at 6:41 pm and is filed under Fascinating Finds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.