Holiday Tips: ATM Skimming Rises During The Holiday Season
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: November 29, 2010
But before you head to just any ATM, Michele Mason with the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama says you need to trust your instincts. Most of the time, if an ATM looks funny, it probably is.
Mason says ATM skimming is on the rise. She says while you withdraw money, thieves have thought of clever ways to perhaps withdraw your holiday spirit, and it can be costly.
"There are devices that can be added to an ATM that will allow the person who placed it there to capture your account information and your pin if they see you placing your pin in there. They can either capture your key strokes, or if they use a camera, they can capture you actually inputting the numbers," said Mason.
To protect yourself from ATM skimming, remember this to keep it "PG." Protect your pin, and give the machine a wiggle.
"If it's a machine you've used before and the keyboard looks different, beware because they can actually use a device that covers over the normal keyboard that could be capturing information," said Mason.
Be picky with your ATM choice. Try to use a fixed ATM over a portable one. Also, keep an eye on your bank statements and report fraud immediately.
ATMs aren't the only targets. According to the Better Business Bureau, credit card swipers at gas pumps and retailers can be tampered with as well.
These are just a few ways to protect your identity, and keep a possible grinch from stealing the joy of the season.
