ATM Thefts
It has been brought to my attention that a new ATM scam has surfaced. This is a pure confidence trick and preys on the vulnerable when they need help the most.
Here’s how it works:
The ‘thief’ pretends to use the ATM quite innocently. Looks like an ordinary citizen trying to use the ATM service.
What the ‘thief’ is actually doing is placing a ‘trap’ in the ATM to ‘capture’ the next user’s card. Sound familiar? Well wait for the next part!
The ‘thief’ may be with someone who acts as a lookout to ensure there isn’t any possible eyewitnesses around.
The innocent user then puts their card in the ATM and the card is mysteriously confiscated.
The user is then confused and asks ‘What’s happened to my card?’
Here the cavalry comes to help (in other words the ‘thief’ who has tampered with the ATM) they pretend to help but all they are doing is trying to get the user’s PIN number, now that the ‘thief’ has captured the card.
The ‘thief’ convinces the user that they can retrieve the card if they press the PIN at the same time as ‘enter’ and ‘cancel’. THIS DOES NOT WORK! All the ‘thief’ is doing is taking note of your PIN number.
After several attempts the user decides their card has been confiscated and leaves the ATM machine.
The ‘thief’ then goes back to the ATM machine and not only retrieves the card but also has the PIN number that the user has unknowingly given.
The ‘thief’ then wipes out the user’s bank account!
The trap is made of XRay film, which is now the preferred material as the colour is the same as the slot on the reader. The trap is then inserted into the ATM slot. The ends are folded and glued in order to stick better to the slot. Once in place this is almost impossible to detect by innocent ATM users. Slits are made in the sides of the trap which prevents your card being returned. When you have given up and decided your card has been confiscated, the ‘thief’ then takes out the film containing your card and also the contents of your bank account.
When using ATM’s always check to ensure that the ATM has not been tampered with and look for any signs of the film tips. If at all unsure do not use the ATM. If you suspect the ATM has been tampered with or you have been a victim please report it to your bank as soon as possible.
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