Compare the Market found that more than 1 in 10 people have fallen victim to a card skimming fraud in 2019 with them losing an average of £846. In total, £30 million was stolen in 2019 through cash machine fraud.
Fraudsters are continually developing more sophisticated methods in stealing your card information by tampering cashpoints. And despite such a large number of people affect, the awareness is relatively low. More than one third of cases, people didn’t know or couldn’t remember how their credit cards had been compromised.
So how can you make sure that the machine you’re using is safe?
What is card skimming
This is the practice of using a small device that has the ability to capture and store details on the card’s magnetic strip such as card number, expiration date and card holder’s full name. The devices can be attached on to all kinds of card readers but, usually cash machines are mostly targeted.
How are they targeting cash machines
The image below shows some of the most comms points of danger you should be aware of when using these machines.
- Tampered card readers
To read the car’s magnetic strip, a card skimmer would need to be attached to the machine machine’s card reader. Skimmers might be fixed over the slot where you enter your card.
First, check there are nothing unusual about its appearance. Signs of a tampered reader can be where there are scratches, glue residue or tape, part of the machine looking slightly different in colour or age. Missing LED lights above the card slot machine is also a giveaway. It can be worth giving the card reader a wiggle to check if it is properly attached.
If you have spotted a skimming device, inform the police or the cash machine operator immediatel. Warning others is helpful as well.
- Hidden cameras
Another major scam involves using hidden cameras to capture your card details and, most importantly, your pin number. They’re often hidden in places you wouldn’t think to look, such as panels above the machine or leaflet containers to the side of the screen.
When approaching a cash machine, take the time to remove any leaflet containers or anything which could be used to conceal a camera. Be on the lookout for slight variations in colour between panels or small pinholes in line of the pin pad.
- ‘Lebanese loops’ or card traps
Card traps work by jamming your card in the machine and allowing a fraudster to retrieve it later.
The peak times for card trap fraudsters are Friday evenings when lots of people are withdrawing cash and bank are closed for the next few days. Don’t assume your card is safe so instead of leaving it, contact your bank immediately to cancel it.
- Fake keypads
Fraudsters could also use a tactic whereby they attach a fake keypad over the original to capture your pin. As you enter the pin, criminals can capture it and even use Wi-Fi to send it instantly.
Coupling this with a card trap will allow a scammer to instantly start using your card.
- ‘Shoulder surfers’
Whilst technology has allowed criminals to remotely steal your card details, many fraudsters still use more low-tech methods. ‘Shoulder surfing’ is when criminals stand nearby, watching over your shoulder to try and see your Pin.
They may also try and distract you to quickly take your card such as dropping something near you or bumping into you whilst you’re using the cash machine.
What to do to stay safe
Being aware of those five signs should help you spot the dangers of potential fraud. However, adopting the following steps will make it harder for a scammer to steal your details.
- Check the area around the cash machine before using one, looking for anything unusual
- Look out for any devices that might be attached to the machine
- Be aware of anyone around you, especially if they try to distract you
- Cover your Pin when entering it
- Put your card away as soon as you’ve left the cash machine
- Wherever possible, use a cash machine inside a bank where it is secure
