Protection against fraudsters: Watch out at ATMs
Created: 01/12/2023, 07:00
By: Anna Heyers
A porch here, a device there – ATMs are often manipulated by criminals so that they can get your data.
But there are a few things to watch out for when withdrawing money.
Even if contactless payment is becoming more and more popular in Germany (despite Maestro-Aus), thousands of Germans use ATMs every day.
This is exactly what criminals exploit and manipulate the devices in such a way that they receive money or account data.
Especially very busy machines are often used for this.
Fortunately, suspicious customers can protect themselves from the rip-offs.
ATM: The right behavior makes the difference
In order to make it as difficult as possible for criminals to get their own account data and the money they have saved, it helps to behave accordingly as a bank customer at the ATM:
Store your bank card and PIN separately (if you have written down the PIN)
Store your bank card safely (e.g. in your wallet, in a zip pocket)
Cover the keyboard with your hand when entering your PIN
Pay attention to the distance to the man behind and, if necessary, demand it clearly
Don't let people distract you or lure you away from the ATM
Alternatively, you can also have money paid out at numerous supermarket checkouts.
Known trick of scammers: skimming
If there is no privacy protection around the number input field or if everything looks loose or slanted, be suspicious.
If in doubt, change the machine, because after all, your account details are at stake.
(Iconic image) © mix1press/Imago
If you use common sense and don't let yourself be distracted or approached by strangers at the machine, you're definitely on the safe side.
However, one scam is meaner than the disdainful direct address during the take-off: the so-called skimming (not to be confused with phishing).
Basically, it is the theft of account information via a card reader that stores the relevant information.
And that was attached directly to the ATM by the scammers.
This can be an attachment in front of the regular card slot, for example, or the entire number field including the card slot.
But cameras installed inconspicuously can also read the pin.
All the data is then pulled together onto an empty card - and the other person's account is plundered.
Tip: Keep your eyes open at the ATM
Here it pays to be suspicious and skeptical.
Does something strike you as odd, is the front end of the card feeder too big, is something loose and wobbling or not installed correctly?
A missing keyboard protection or adhesive residue can also be indications of manipulation.
Trust your gut feeling and use another machine.
You can also tell your bank branch or who will inspect the ATM.
Sticky trap: The money doesn't arrive
Another well-known scam is card trapping, roughly translated as card trap.
Here, a closure that looks very real is stuck in front of the cash dispensing compartment of the ATM.
If someone wants to take an amount from the compartment, it doesn't work that way.
Because the glued-on compartment does not open and the other, correct one is hidden behind it.
An error message appears on the machine itself.
Caution: Anyone who now goes to another machine has already fallen for the trick.
The perpetrators can indeed open the compartment and remove the money.
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Tip: don't go away
You have withdrawn money and it should actually be paid out, but nothing happens?
Here it is now absolutely necessary to stay at the machine.
If the machine is right next to the bank building, ask someone else to inform or fetch a member of staff.
Otherwise you have to call the bank and the police again.
Gladly also in the order, because the bank may already know whether and what is wrong with the ATM.
In general, it is best to be suspicious of everything at the ATM.
After all, it's about your savings and your account details.
If you want to be on the safe side, you can get so-called RFID protection for your bank cards.
It is either already integrated in the wallet or as an extra card sleeve and it protects external devices from reading the account data on the go.
