Tips on how not to become a victim of ATM card skimming

Banks like UBA Plc have put in place the best in class technology to stop cyber criminals from stealing the hard earned cash of customers, but customers need to be vigilant to ensure that they do not get duped. Banks can do little to protect a customer who negligently gives out his or her bank details  to a fraudulent person. 

All a cyber criminal usually need to be successful is the ATM card details of a potential victim. 

ATM thieves have now stepped up their game in line with advances in technology and use several tricks to steal your hard earned cash. Two major tricks include;

Card Skimming is a method used by criminals to capture ATM card data from the magnetic stripe on the back of an ATM card. The scammers try to steal the victim’s details so they can access his or her accounts. Once scammers have skimmed the victim’s card details, they can create a fake or ‘cloned’ card with the victim’s detail on it. 

The criminal is then able to run up charges on the victim’s account.

Devices used for card skimming are smaller than a deck of cards and are often fastened in close proximity to, or over the top of the ATM’s factory-installed card reader. Once a victim inserts his or her card into the machine, the details are then captured by the false ATM device attached by the criminal.

 PIN capturing

In pin capturing, the criminal strategically attaches or positions cameras and other imaging devices to ATMs to fraudulently capture PIN numbers of unsuspecting victims trying to withdraw cash.

Some facts you should know about skimming devices

Skimming devices are normally attached to ATMs during quiet periods, especially early in the morning or late evenings. Though, the length of time skimming devices are attached can vary, but the criminals usually keep it attached for no longer than 24 hours, after which they are removed and victims details harvested.

For a criminal to carry out successful card skimming, he or she requires both a card skimmer (card reader) and camera (PIN capturing device) to be fitted to the ATM in order to steal card data.

The criminals may loiter nearby to observe customers and remove equipment after machine use. However, the downloaded information can be transmitted wirelessly to other devices held by the criminals.

Tips on how not to become a victim of ATM card skimming

There are several ways to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of ATM card skimming.

Familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the ATM key pad. Be alert for scratches, marks, adhesive, unusual join marks anywhere on the ATM key pad and any tape residue or sticky material on ATMs.  If you notice any of these signs on an ATM, do not use.

Avoid using an ATM machine that has its security cameras installed so close that it records your PIN. If the camera is looking at how you input your pin in the ATM, do not use.

Never use an ATM machine when other people are loitering, hanging over your shoulders, or straining their neck to see what you are doing. Do not accept help from strangers or even bank security to retrieve an ATM card stuck in an ATM machine. If your card is stuck, report to the bank. Be suspicious of any individual loitering in an ATM lobby offering ‘assistance' with PIN entry.  Also never keep a written copy of your PIN in your wallet or purse. The safest store for your PIN is your head.

Avoid using ATMs showing signs of tampering like, card entry slot appears newer or older than the rest of the ATM, awkwardly placed objects that obstruct access to the PIN pad or display screen, such as a poorly placed pamphlet holder, sticky residue on PIN pad or card entry slot, single ATM situated beside other ATMs displaying ‘out of order' signage.

Remember, ATM thieves, unlike armed robbers do not carry guns. But their impact on your bank balance when they hit, can be more devastating than armed robbers.

UBA  has one of the most elaborate IT infrastructure and secure ATM locations to stop ATM thieves from taking your hard earned money.  However, the first line and only secure line of defence remains YOU the card holder. So guide your ATM and online details jealously and be alert to the tricks of ATM thieves.

This article was first published in the Lion King Magazine, an in-house publication of United Bank for Africa Plc