LifeLock

Since the earliest days of automated teller machines, banks have had to deal with thieves figuring out new and creative ways to commit crime. ATM theft in the form of “skimming” has become more common in recent years.

Card skimming is the practice of collecting ATM card numbers and personal identification numbers for the purpose of stealing money from bank accounts. This is done sometimes as simply as watching customers as the use the ATM, called “shoulder surfing,” and taking note of the PIN number as it’s punched in.

Thieves have also gone high tech, installing false card readers or “skimmers” on top of existing ATMs. The skimmers read the card information and store it, until the thief can retrieve it via computer. This can be done via computer or even, in some cases, wirelessly via smartphone.

The stolen information can then be used to empty a bank account in no time – no debit card needed. A thief can simply purchase a blank gift card and enter the information onto the card’s magnetic strip. The card can then be used just like the original debit card.

Skimmers have also been used at gas stations, installed on the pumps, and at restaurants and department stores, installed at point-of-sale credit card swipe stations.

While most people are aware of the fact that skimmers exist, they often don’t know what to look for or how to identify a skimmer. It’s important to be sure to examine an ATM carefully, looking for anything that looks out of place or unusual before using it. If signage is covered up, blinking lights are blocked or something on the unit appears to have been tampered with, do not use the machine, and notify your bank immediately. If the machine looks different than the last time you used it, go inside the bank and inquire if changes were made.

If you are purchasing an item in a retail store or paying for a meal in a restaurant, it is a good idea to be sure that your credit or debit card never leaves your sight. In other words, ask the waiter to swipe the card at your table if possible. If that isn’t possible, go to the register to pay for your meal yourself. The same goes in a retail store; ask the clerk to swipe your card in front of you, or follow them to the register where this will be done.

Thieves often hire young people working in restaurants and retail stores to skim cards, paying them top dollar to steal the information on the thief’s behalf. Don’t be shy about asking for this: you are protecting your personal information, and you must be vigilant.

To help consumers understand what skimmers can look like, and learn how to identify them, we’ve included some photos in this post. Of course, not all skimmers look the same, so be cautious and examine the machines you use carefully an thoroughly.