ATM Skimming

ATM skimming is a very real and very present threat in the world of identity theft scams. Thieves can create very inexpensive, home-made skimming devices that attach to the ATM card reader, thus allowing them to collect hundreds or thousands of card numbers in a very short period of time. There are two different types of devices that are commonly used: one that interferes with the customer’s ability to actually use the ATM machine successfully, and one that doesn’t. The type of device that interferes with the normal operating ability of the machine is generally a bit easier to recognize.

Thieves will look for an ATM that they can alter the face of and build an attachment for. In some cases, they may use a fabricated metal container of sorts that would fit onto the existing machine and may have a small laptop computer inside that would prompt the customer to use a touch screen instead of the machines actual keypad. It may also offer an alternate card reader next to it. With a small, undetectable camera recording your PIN number as you enter it attached to or near the ATM, the thief would have all the information he needed to access your account once you had finished attempting to process your transaction.

However, because you were actually using a fake card reader and prompting system, the final screen may read something like, “Thank you for using National Bank (or whatever type of banking machine you were using). There has been a malfunction.”

The type of skimmer that would not interfere with your transaction process would most commonly be found on banking machines that require you to swipe your card through an external, raised slot. Not on those where you manually slide your card into the actual machine in which the reader head would be buried inside the unit. This is because the external readers are much more accessible to thieves and the skimmer can be placed directly overtop of the actual reader strip. You as a customer can still make your withdrawal and the thief still gets your number. These types of devices are very difficult, if not impossible for the untrained eye to identify. ATM banking machines are not the only devices at risk when it comes to skimming. A skimmer can be attached to any type of system with an external reader, such as the one you use to pay your bill at the grocery store, gas station, department store or restaurant.