CFA: Preventing ATM skimming scams

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The gear being used to swipe your informatino is more sophisticated than ever! And the latest statistic is shocking. Call 12 for Action asked security experts for details on how you can protect yourself.

Lorie briggs uses her debit card for everything from groceries to gas.

"My husband went to get gas one day and the card was denied. We knew we had money, so we were quite surprised." she said.

A quick call to the bank and lorie learned more than $400 was swiped.

"Our account was at zero. We didn't know how we were going to pay the bills!" said Briggs.

Lorie's bank now believes she was a victim of ATM skimming.

Skimming is the unauthorized capture of your debit or credit card's magnetic strip data. It can happen during routine ATM transactions.

Kurt Helwig of EFTA warns that False card readers and hidden wireless cameras are used by thieves to swipe bank account info and pin numbers.

"They'll download that information, and they'll have it, and with that information they'll go create a bogus card."

Or, they'll sell the information online.Theft from a-t-m skimming now tops one billion dollars annually.

"If it's a well done crime, it's something that looks just like that which you would typically use when you swipe your card." said Helwig.

Some are so discreet that they can even be attached to the outside of an a-t-m vestibule, or even a gasoline pump. That's where Lorie's bank believes she was skimmed.

"We didn't notice anything in particular that was suspicious." said Briggs

John Pearce, a representative from ADT Security services says Its imporant to look. Start by performing an ATM inspection. Check the card reader to
Ensure that it's secure.

"Tell tale signs such as tape sticking out of a portion of the ATM or out of the PIN pad, or tape residue or glue residue where something has been applied"

Then, look around the ATM. Scan the ceiling and any brochure racks.

"The wireless camera is likely to be installed immediately above the ATM, within the ATM, or in the ceiling." said Pearce.

To protect your pin number, Pearce recommends cupping your hand over the keypad.

If you are skimmed, file a fraud report with your bank immediately. That's what Lorie did. Her money was returned the next day