Scams targeting ATM users are becoming more common. It is essential to know different techniques to prevent your account from falling into the wrong hands.
Withdraw money from ATMs It is part of daily life, and with increase in scams more and more precautions have to be taken. Knowing how to use these devices correctly and completely is essential to avoid theft. These require several security measures to prevent bank account theft. One of the simplest is to finish a transaction and/or withdrawal of money, press the Cancel key right after receiving the money.
One of the main threats that ATM users face is the exposure of their confidential information. Each receipt that is printed contains data such as how much money is in the account or information to access it, that in the wrong hands can be used to carry out fraudulent transactions. Using the Cancel key you can prevent this from happening.
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How to avoid scams when withdrawing money from the ATM
According to a report from Bank of Spain59% of the population uses cash as the main means of payment in physical stores, surpassing credit cards (30%) and mobile devices (11%). These percentages make it clear that it is of utmost importance to take measures to guarantee the security of transactions carried out on these devices.
- Do not print the receipt of the operation: Many users throw away or lose these which makes it easy for them to fall into the wrong hands.
- Use mobile applications: With mobile applications you can check movements and balance. They are also increasingly secure and allow detailed, real-time control of personal finances, eliminating the need for physical receipts, which remain exposed.
- Press the Cancel key: This step ensures that the cashier system correctly logs out the session associated with the card. If this action is not carried out, the ATM could remain active with the previous user’s data, allowing a third party to access the account and carry out unauthorized operations.
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Tips to avoid scams when withdrawing money from an ATM
Other security measures to take into account when withdrawing money are:
- It is always preferable to use ATMs located in well-lit areas, inside banks or shopping centers. Avoid those in isolated areas or with suspicious people around.
- Before inserting the card, check for foreign objects in the card slot or on the keyboard. Cloning devices, known as “skimmers,” are often placed in these areas to capture information from the cards.
- Cover the keyboard with one hand when entering your password to prevent it from being seen by hidden cameras or nearby people.
- Never accept assistance from strangers, even if they seem friendly. They could be trying to distract you to steal your data or money.
- If the ATM retains your card or exhibits unusual behavior, immediately press the “Cancel” key, leave the location, and contact the bank or the police.
- Make sure you put away your cash and card before leaving the ATM. Don’t rush during the transaction to avoid mistakes.
- If you withdrew a large sum of money, avoid walking long distances and try to be accompanied by a trusted person or request support from local authorities.
Finally, it is also crucial to securely destroy financial documents that you no longer need, such as receipts or bank statements, cutting them into small fragments so that the information is not legible.
Source: Ambito
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.
