Do not be scammed at ATMs
Customer protection strategies are foremost in banks’ efforts to curb ATMrelated crimes. Customers must do all they can to protect themselves, too, said Piet Swanepoel of African Bank.
This Easter, remember that ATMs are criminal hotspots.
Groups of at least three criminals distract victims while cards are swapped. The PIN will have been shoulder-surfed prior to the swap.
Skimming:
A person claiming to be a bank employee approaches the victim and requests they “reactivate” their card by swiping it through a device. Another person loiters around, shoulder-surfing for the PIN.
• The ATM card reader entry slot may be damaged. While the victim struggles to insert their card, the criminal approaches and takes it from the victim, often escorting the victim to another ATM to attempt the withdrawal. The card is skimmed in
ATM-mounted skimming:
Most ATM skimming devices do not interfere with ATMs when utilised. These devices look like a card reader slot and fit seamlessly.
• A false reader acquires the magnetic strip data and the PIN is compromised by means of a camera.