Hopefully you're well aware of how skimming works: thieves set up devices on ATMs that read your card (and possibly even watch you enter your PIN). Thieves can also give your card an extra swipe if you hand it to them for payment.
The Secret Service recently issued a reminder, noting that skimming scams are becoming more and more of a problem. Crooks like them because they're easy to use and they offer direct access to cash, and skimmers are not going away any time soon.
The Consumerist highlights two good tips to protect yourself. First, cover the keypad when you enter your PIN. If there's a hidden camera or a thief standing around, it makes stealing cash more difficult. Second, you can jiggle your card or the card reader on an ATM. This might be overkill (and lead to a lot of broken cards and ATMs) but it's not a bad idea if you see anything suspicious.
The most important thing to do is remember that skimmers are not uncommon. Take an extra second to scrutinize anything you plan to put your card into.
Further reading:
- Basics of Skimming Scams
No comments:
Post a Comment