Clark wants to warn you about an ATM scam that could wipe out your bank accounts without you ever knowing. About a year ago, Clark issued a warning about an ATM scam that involves your card getting stuck in the machine. What happens is people put their card into the slot, enter their secret code and nothing happens. When they try to cancel the transaction, the card doesn’t come back out and people think it’s just stuck. In truth, there is a criminal across the street who has put a “sleeve” in the machine and has been watching as you enter you code. When you leave, that person retrieves your card and empties your account. If you used a Visa or MasterCard debit card, it could mean an even more expensive shopping spree. Banks don’t want to help because they assume that you gave someone your secret code and are trying to scam them. But the truth is that it is the bank’s problem. Many people don’t know that they have to report this as a crime right away. If it’s the weekend, you can’t report it until Monday, and that can be very detrimental. This crime is rapidly spreading, so you need to know what to do. If you suspect your card has been swiped, call the bank immediately on the hotline number. Don’t give the criminals a chance to wipe your bank account. Also, watch to see if someone stops at the ATM right after you and get his or her tag number. Just don’t attempt to confront him or her; it’s too dangerous. Try to only use ATM’s at your own financial institution because that will lessen the chaos of trying to deal with another institution if this happens to you.