More so than ever, sensible precautions to protect one’s assets are necessary in today’s accelerating tech environment – the bad guys are not lacking in sophisticated tech skills – far from it!
Sensible precautions may well include – protecting personal property with the aid of a security system. And, such a system could include security cameras.
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I mention security cameras (having covered motion detection cameras just recently), in response to a search string directed here in the past few days (the identical search string – 15 times), which emphasized the word “paranoid”. So, I’d like to point out (to the paranoid “paranoid searcher”) – the countless millions who secure their property with alarm systems (including me), which might include motion activated cameras, are hardly paranoid – they are simply realistic – and, are prepared for any eventuality.
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I’m hardly an expert on property security systems – any more than I’m an expert at ATM Machine security. Much like you, I expect, I’m careful and cautious when making a transaction using a Credit Card or, a Debit Card. Still, being careful and cautious might not be enough to stop dedicated fraudsters from draining my Bank account – or yours.
The sophistication of today’s ATM scams simply amazes me – and, I must admit, that I found the following – posted at ScamBusters.org, more than a bit of an eye opener. You might as well.
5 Common, Real ATM Theft Scams
The Lebanese Loop – Many thieves are using external devices to confiscate your card. In this scam, a blocking device (which can be as simple as some film glued to trap ATM cards), is inserted into the card slot of the ATM machine. Unwittingly, you place your card into the machine and enter your PIN. All the while, someone nearby ……….
Card Skimming – Skimmers are devices added to ATM machines to capture your card’s information, including your account number, balance, and PIN number. These devices, often mounted alongside a machine and labeled ‘card cleaners,’ are difficult to notice unless you’re …..
Shoulder Surfing, Fake PIN Pads, and Even Fake Machines – Another way to glean your ATM PIN number is for thieves to mount a wireless video camera inside the ATM area. It can look as harmless as a brochure holder. Once the scammers have your number, magnetic strips are ……..
Cash Trapping – Similar to the Lebanese Loop where a thin sleeve traps your card, this time your cash is trapped by a sleeve or device slipped inside the cash dispenser. Your transaction will operate normally, but ………
Phishing – We mentioned above how easy it is for thieves to replicate ATM cards. All they need is a magnetic strip and a plastic card. Armed with an ATM card, all a would-be thief needs is a ………..
Scam Buster’s goes the extra mile, and as part of this excellent post, you’ll find a primer on how you can avoid these scams – 8 Tips to Help You Protect Yourself From ATM Theft.
Update: Some “words of wisdom” from regular reader Michael F.
I use ATM’s INSIDE banks. Outside of bank hours I do without or use ‘cashback’ in a store.
When validating any card anywhere:
Reduce exposure time by having the card ready in your hand and not counting the notes at the scene. Think like a burglar ~ get in and get out.
Remove card from wallet prior to reaching the card reader and ONLY when you’re alone [while at home before setting out or while in your car for example].
Return card and cash to wallet only when alone ~ in the meantime just put both in a deep pocket.
Use body blocking and don’t finger-peck at the keypad as it’s too easy to figure the spacial relation of one press to the next press ~ better to place all your fingers of one hand on the pad and rapidly key in with very little lateral finger movement and put a couple of fake presses in the sequence. Hover spare hand over the keying-in hand.
Watch for camera phones and iPads etc. These cameras are incredible ~ as a [not relevant] example they can see detail on a screen or behind glass hidden to the human eye by glare/reflection. Something to do with polarised light maybe.
Cameras can be hidden in the frames of eyeglasses too, but I doubt that ATM scammers have got there yet. I could tell you some stories about the use of cameras, I.R. dyes and contact lenses in the world of live poker. Some players have the devils own luck…
Thank you, Michael.
Updated: This just in from my local newspaper (February 9)
Debit card reader stolen from restaurant – Posted 26 minutes ago
City police are asking local businesses to check their debit card readers after one reader was stolen from a Hunter St. W. restaurant Wednesday and swapped with a fake card reader designed to steal information.
Bill Mullins' Weblog - Tech Thoughts 
Hey Bill,
A very good article. I know when I use an ATM, I am just as paranoid then as when using the internet. Old habits die hard, don’t you know.
Cheers
Hey Mal,
lol! Yep you’re right – “Old habits ‘Die Hard'”. Might be a movie in that. 🙂
There’s a certain etiquette that should be observed when the person in front is punching in access code – but I find, more and more people just ignore it. I often feel like turning around and asking the person behind me to “get off my back”, “give me some room” …… – whatever. Annoying as hell.
Best,
Bill
I use ATM’s INSIDE banks. Outside of bank hours I do without or use ‘cashback’ in a store.
When validating any card anywhere:
** reduce exposure time by having the card ready in your hand & not counting the notes at the scene. Think like a burglar ~ get in & get out.
** remove card from wallet prior to reaching the card reader & ONLY when you’re alone [while at home before setting out or while in your car for example]
** Return card & cash to wallet only when alone ~ in the meantime just put both in a deep pocket
** Use body blocking & don’t finger-peck at the keypad as it’s too easy to figure the spacial relation of one press to the next press ~ better to place all your fingers of one hand on the pad & rapidly key in with very little lateral finger movement & put a couple of fake presses in the sequence. Hover spare hand over the keying-in hand.
** Watch for camera phones & iPads etc. These cameras are incredible ~ as a [not relevant] example they can see detail on a screen or behind glass hidden to the human eye by glare/reflection. Something to do with polarised light maybe. Cameras can be hidden in the frames of eyeglasses too, but I doubt that ATM scammers have got there yet. I could tell you some stories about the use of cameras, I.R. dyes & contact lenses in the world of live poker. Some players have the devils own luck…
Thank you Michael.
I’ve just added your comment as an addendum to the post.
Best,
Bill
I would add one more precaution:
As some crooks use thermal imagers to take a snapshot of the keypad well after you have left, and thus can find out which keys have been pressed, it is a good idea to use the rear end of a pen or some sort of stylus to avoid thermal marks left behind by warm fingers.
All the best
Georg
Thank you Georg.
Another great tip.
Best,
Bill
Glad that I read these tips, I will keep these in mind when I’m at the ATM the next time!
Hi Matt,
Good to hear. I learned a few things as well.
Thanks for dropping by.
Bill