ATM alert: Skimming makes a comeback on clarkhoward.com

RIP-OFF ALERT: Several years ago, Clark alerted listeners to the dangers of ATM card skimming. To refresh your memory, skimming is when criminals put a small piece of hardware on an ATM where you insert your card.

The skimmer captures info from the magnetic strip on the back of your card. Crooks can then remove the skimmer, download the info and create duplicate copies of your card. There's also typically a camera hidden somewhere so the thieves can record you typing in your PIN. Once they have duplicate cards and your PIN, they employ a team of runners to empty out your account.

Now the Sun Sentinel reports that the skimming crime has escalated, especially with ATMs at gas stations. Thankfully, the article also reveals a technique you can use to avoid putting yourself in harm's way. Try shaking the area where your card goes in. If it has a skimmer, it will be obvious because they're designed to be installed and uninstalled quickly. If you suspect there may be a skimmer on the ATM, let the bank or gas station know.

Meanwhile, beware when using an ATM that's not from your bank or credit union. It can take weeks to dispute any issue with the ATM owner.

What others are saying

Skimming
2 years ago, our debit card was skimmed at a local restaurant. I always checked my bank acct. daily and found out the next day that my checking & savings was looted. I had not heard much about the skimming scam at that time. My credit union immediately returned my cash and did an investigation. Because we knew where we had last used the card and the long wait for the waiter to return with our card and receipt, we were convinced that was where it happened. I now only use my debit card for quick withdrawals at an inside reputable ATM. Be careful where you use your card!
By Jan @ 12/13/08 02:25:51 AMreport abuse
Credit cards
Don't forget, this same tech can be used to capture credit card numbers, too. I used a "backup" credit card a while back at a megamart's gas station and within a few days bogus charges began showing up on the account from several states away.

Either the number was skimmed or someone drew my card/expiration at random from a machine, because it was the first time the card had been used in almost a year!

Luckily the card company cheerfully erased the charges. In fact, they were pretty nonchalant about it, as if it was a normal everyday occurance!
By Tom Servo @ 12/07/08 02:07:52 AMreport abuse
ATM
Before you punch your four number PIN, just touch few numbers and then your PIN and then again few numbers. This way thief will not be able to know the your PIN number.
By Jay @ 12/03/08 09:17:20 PMreport abuse
skimmed card
This happened to me a couple of years ago. My bank (Wachovia), which is where it happened, handled it extremely well. Since then I rarely use an ATM and I'm careful about checking it out. At least one of the people involved in the ring of scammers was caught and tried, but pretty much just got his hand slapped by the court. FYI - the skimmer reads everything on your card, including your PIN.
By Martha @ 12/02/08 11:11:33 AMreport abuse
reduce risk of skimming
for ATM's with an entrance where you must swipe your card at the door, always use a different card (credit card) to access the door. then use your ATM card at the machine. Some skimming scams place these devices on the door, so if you swipe a card at the door not affilliated with the one you are using with your PIN transaction at the machine, you may reduce your risk.
By BKD @ 12/02/08 07:53:20 AMreport abuse
Skimming
I recently logged onto my bank account and noticed a withdrawl of several hundred dollars and some cents from "Gasonlina Patria" in Guadlahara. I immediatly called my bank and while I was on the phone a second withdrawl appeared for the exact same amount from "Super Marcado" also in Gudalahara. I was 750 miles from Fudalahara at the time. Turns out the amount was 5000 peos devided by the current exchange rate. I was in Mexico for three weeks a few months earlier. Perhaps someone skimmed my number? BTW - My bank credited my account within 3 days!
By Charlie @ 12/02/08 06:20:21 AMreport abuse
ATM Alert
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6523063
By Mena @ 12/01/08 03:20:46 PMreport abuse
austin police link
thanks for adding this site with pictures. now i have an idea what to look for.
By jeane @ 12/01/08 02:55:12 PMreport abuse
ATMs and Cash
I'll go to the grocery store, buy something and get cash out then. I feel that the store will be watching their own checkout lanes more often than the banks watching their ATMs as far as skimming goes..
By CarefulConsumer @ 12/01/08 02:45:55 PMreport abuse
Skimming - good pictures by Austin Police Dept
There are some good pictures available to show the skimming equipment - yanking the reader is a good suggestion as is covering your hand with your other hand when you enter the PIN.

http://www.utexas.edu/police/alerts/atm_scam/
By Peter @ 11/28/08 09:18:39 AMreport abuse
I think this just happened to me
Hey everybody

I just had a $400 ATM withdrawal in California from my account. But I moved from LA to Austin, TX three months ago! I called the bank and they have temporarily placed the money back in my account. They seem to be on my side for now, but they were pretty adamant that it was probably someone I knew because "you must have told them your PIN."

I've absolutely never shared my PIN, and I know that they're aware of the sophistication of these schemes. I also know that since they're a big national bank I should be weary of their intentions. Can I do anything to ensure I can keep my money? I'm already filing a police report and giving the bank the case number so they can track down any video at the ATM.
By Dominic @ 11/20/08 09:52:04 PMreport abuse
Should the store owner or manager be notified?
Dear Clark,

If there is evidence that a customer has used her credit card at a specific gas station as her last purchase, should she or should she not bring it up to the attention of the store manager or owner? And in case you think she shouldn't notify it; please explain why...Thank you for your time and advice. Rgds, Sylvie
By Sylvie Roy-Miles @ 11/20/08 12:31:55 PMreport abuse

Skimming

2 years ago, our debit card was skimmed at a local restaurant. I always checked my bank acct. daily and found out the next day that my checking & savings was looted. I had not heard much about the skimming scam at that time. My credit union immediately returned my cash and did an investigation. Because we knew where we had last used the card and the long wait for the waiter to return with our card and receipt, we were convinced that was where it happened. I now only use my debit card for quick withdrawals at an inside reputable ATM. Be careful where you use your card!

By Jan @ 12/13/08 02:25:51 AMreport abuse

Credit cards

Don't forget, this same tech can be used to capture credit card numbers, too. I used a "backup" credit card a while back at a megamart's gas station and within a few days bogus charges began showing up on the account from several states away.

Either the number was skimmed or someone drew my card/expiration at random from a machine, because it was the first time the card had been used in almost a year!

Luckily the card company cheerfully erased the charges. In fact, they were pretty nonchalant about it, as if it was a normal everyday occurance!

By Tom Servo @ 12/07/08 02:07:52 AMreport abuse

ATM

Before you punch your four number PIN, just touch few numbers and then your PIN and then again few numbers. This way thief will not be able to know the your PIN number.

By Jay @ 12/03/08 09:17:20 PMreport abuse

skimmed card

This happened to me a couple of years ago. My bank (Wachovia), which is where it happened, handled it extremely well. Since then I rarely use an ATM and I'm careful about checking it out. At least one of the people involved in the ring of scammers was caught and tried, but pretty much just got his hand slapped by the court. FYI - the skimmer reads everything on your card, including your PIN.

By Martha @ 12/02/08 11:11:33 AMreport abuse

reduce risk of skimming

for ATM's with an entrance where you must swipe your card at the door, always use a different card (credit card) to access the door. then use your ATM card at the machine. Some skimming scams place these devices on the door, so if you swipe a card at the door not affilliated with the one you are using with your PIN transaction at the machine, you may reduce your risk.

By BKD @ 12/02/08 07:53:20 AMreport abuse

I recently logged onto my bank account and noticed a withdrawl of several hundred dollars and some cents from "Gasonlina Patria" in Guadlahara. I immediatly called my bank and while I was on the phone a second withdrawl appeared for the exact same amount from "Super Marcado" also in Gudalahara. I was 750 miles from Fudalahara at the time. Turns out the amount was 5000 peos devided by the current exchange rate. I was in Mexico for three weeks a few months earlier. Perhaps someone skimmed my number? BTW - My bank credited my account within 3 days!

By Charlie @ 12/02/08 06:20:21 AMreport abuse

ATM Alert

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6523063

By Mena @ 12/01/08 03:20:46 PMreport abuse

austin police link

thanks for adding this site with pictures. now i have an idea what to look for.

By jeane @ 12/01/08 02:55:12 PMreport abuse

ATMs and Cash

I'll go to the grocery store, buy something and get cash out then. I feel that the store will be watching their own checkout lanes more often than the banks watching their ATMs as far as skimming goes..

By CarefulConsumer @ 12/01/08 02:45:55 PMreport abuse

Skimming - good pictures by Austin Police Dept

There are some good pictures available to show the skimming equipment - yanking the reader is a good suggestion as is covering your hand with your other hand when you enter the PIN.

http://www.utexas.edu/police/alerts/atm_scam/

By Peter @ 11/28/08 09:18:39 AMreport abuse

I think this just happened to me

Hey everybody

I just had a $400 ATM withdrawal in California from my account. But I moved from LA to Austin, TX three months ago! I called the bank and they have temporarily placed the money back in my account. They seem to be on my side for now, but they were pretty adamant that it was probably someone I knew because "you must have told them your PIN."

I've absolutely never shared my PIN, and I know that they're aware of the sophistication of these schemes. I also know that since they're a big national bank I should be weary of their intentions. Can I do anything to ensure I can keep my money? I'm already filing a police report and giving the bank the case number so they can track down any video at the ATM.

By Dominic @ 11/20/08 09:52:04 PMreport abuse

Should the store owner or manager be notified?

Dear Clark,

If there is evidence that a customer has used her credit card at a specific gas station as her last purchase, should she or should she not bring it up to the attention of the store manager or owner? And in case you think she shouldn't notify it; please explain why...Thank you for your time and advice. Rgds, Sylvie

By Sylvie Roy-Miles @ 11/20/08 12:31:55 PMreport abuse

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Nov 19, 2008 -- ATM alert: Skimming makes a comeback

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