ATM skimming is making a comeback

I was listening to Clark Howard yesterday and he said that ATM skimming is making a comeback. Do you know what ATM skimming is? Skimming is when criminals put a small piece of hardware on an ATM where you insert your card.

The skimmer captures info from the magnetic strip on the back of your card. Crooks can then remove the skimmer, download the info and create duplicate copies of your card. There’s also typically a camera hidden somewhere so the thieves can record you typing in your PIN. Once they have duplicate cards and your PIN, they employ a team of runners to empty out your account. Crooks have also figured out ways to hook up tiny cameras that record your personal identification numbers.

The Sun Sentinel reports that the skimming crime has escalated, especially with ATMs at gas stations. Thankfully, the article also reveals a technique you can use to avoid putting yourself in harm’s way. Try shaking the area where your card goes in. If it has a skimmer, it will be obvious because they’re designed to be installed and uninstalled quickly. If you suspect there may be a skimmer on the ATM, let the bank or gas station know.

Meanwhile, beware when using an ATM that’s not from your bank or credit union. It can take weeks to dispute any issue with the ATM owner.

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