| ATM fraud has risen because crooks are utilizing | | | | trying another ATM and report your suspicions to the |
| high-tech techniques to hack into your bank accounts. | | | | bank and local police. |
| ATM fraud is on the rise according to law | | | | Bandit ATM Machines |
| enforcement officials because crooks are becoming | | | | Card skimming devices are not the only problem when |
| more and more complex. Crooks have become very | | | | it comes to ATM machines. Some smart scam artists |
| smart at discovering new methods to access your | | | | have gone as far as buying their own ATM machines |
| funds so consumers need to keep a watchful eye on | | | | which they installed and used to capture your account |
| their bank statements in case there are suspicious | | | | information. To detect a card skimming device may be |
| transactions because it is more than likely that | | | | difficult, but to identify a bandit ATM machine is almost |
| somebody has access to your bank account | | | | impossible. You best chance of circumventing this kind |
| information. | | | | of machine is to not use independently owned ATM's. |
| Techniques used by crooks to access your money | | | | However, this is easier said that done. In some places, |
| include hacking into bank databases, phishing methods | | | | there might be more independently owned ATM's than |
| and unsolicited e-mails, and the compromising of card | | | | bank machines making it difficult to depend on only |
| scanning devices placed on ATM machines and gas | | | | official bank owned ATM machines. Use your best |
| pumps and retailer computer systems. Maintaining | | | | judgment, and always monitor your bank statements. |
| vigilance and reporting suspicious activity regarding | | | | Only vigilance and quick action are the only tools that |
| your bank account are the best you can do to prevent | | | | you could rely on to safeguard your bank account |
| bank account thieves from gaining illegal access into | | | | information when suspicious activity is found. |
| computer systems and databases containing your | | | | Unsolicited e-mails and Phishing Scams |
| financial information. In most cases, consumers | | | | Perhaps the best method for accessing your account |
| unknowingly hand the perpetrators the keys to the | | | | is phishing. This is very widespread over the internet |
| bank accounts. Knowing something about the | | | | that people get them every day. Some of them are |
| techniques used might save the consumer a lot a | | | | very clever and count on your poor judgment to be |
| money per year. | | | | effective. Never click a link in an e-mail to go to your |
| Magnetic Card Skimmers Record Your Data | | | | bank, PayPal account, eBay account, or credit union. |
| Some tech smart thieves are placing ATM card | | | | Always go to these websites by using the bookmarks |
| skimming devices over the real card readers. They will | | | | you have installed on your browser yourself or typing |
| also place a small camera somewhere on the ATM | | | | in the URL yourself. If you still feel uneasy doing this, |
| machine so that the information of the screen is | | | | then call your bank and speak to somebody regarding |
| recorded as well as your finger motions in your PIN. All | | | | your account over the phone. Following this simple |
| of this is transmitted to crooks who are often not too | | | | advice will protect you from getting "phished" by a |
| far perhaps in a van. Now they have everything they | | | | criminal. You destroy the chance for criminals to obtain |
| need from you to drain your bank account of its funds. | | | | your personal information every time you delete an |
| This illegal money making scheme has been duplicated | | | | e-mail requesting that you click a link. This decision is |
| in every major city worldwide, and people lose lots of | | | | always yours. |
| money every year. Some of the cameras and card | | | | There are lots of consumer fraud schemes out there. |
| skimmers are easy to find, but some of them take a | | | | It is up to you, the consumer, to educate yourself to |
| trained eye and are only discovered when an expert | | | | recognize what is and is not legitimate. Hopefully our |
| services the ATM. If you notice anything unusual when | | | | advice will help you minimize becoming a victim to the |
| using an ATM to withdraw funds, you might consider | | | | crime of data theft, identity theft, or debit card fraud. |