Card fraud on the rise – safety tips for using an ATM

Card fraud is on the increase. It serves as a reminder that we need to be cautious and extra vigilant when transacting and withdrawing money at ATMs.

According to the latest ACO Global Consumer Fraud Study, 33% of South Africans have been victims of card fraud, a 3% increase from 2014 to 2016. The bulk (85.9%) of South African card fraud takes place in the metropoles, Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Safety tips for using your bank card

The best safety tip is to remain vigilant at all times. So often we are lost in thought, engaging on our cellphones or listening to music, and the more distracted we are, the simpler it is for opportunistic thieves to steal from us. The rise of technology has made it much easier for criminals to access personal information or clone your card while you use the ATM.

Take these steps to avoid becoming a victim:

Check that nobody is near you when making an ATM transaction

Try not to use an ATM late at night in a remote area

Make sure there isn’t anything unusual in the card reader slot of the ATM

Refuse any help from a stranger unless you have asked for assistance

Immediately block your card if it is “swallowed” and remains in the machine Use a strong password, change it regularly and don’t share it.

Technology has made transacting easier, but it has also made life easier for criminals.

Police and bank investigations can take time and effort to resolve, so it’s far better to be alert.

As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure, so always remain vigilant.

Sore Cloete is senior legal manager at Old Mutual Personal Finance