Protect yourself from ATM scams: Tips to stay safe while withdrawing money

Nowadays, people frequently use ATMs to withdraw cash. Unfortunately, it has also become a common target for scammers who use various methods to steal your money, card details, and ATM PIN.

In a recent incident, a man in Mumbai lost his money after an ATM transaction, only to find out it was a scam.

What is ATM skimming?

ATM skimming is a type of fraud where scammers attach a device to parts of the ATM machine such as the card reader, keypad, and cash dispenser.

These devices look like normal ATM parts but are designed to steal your card details, including your ATM PIN.

In the incident mentioned earlier, scammers had blocked the cash dispenser of the ATM machine with a plate, causing the money to come out of the machine but get stuck in the blocked window.

The man left the ATM without his money, unaware that he had fallen victim to a scam.

Tips to stay safe while withdrawing money:

• Before using an ATM, take a moment to inspect the card reader and keypad. If anything looks unusual, such as a loose or crooked part, don't use the machine.
• Always cover your hand while typing your PIN to prevent anyone from seeing it.
• Your PIN is your secret code to access your account. Don't share it with anyone, not even family members or bank employees.
• Try to withdraw cash from a bank's campus ATM, where a security guard is available. These machines are less likely to be tampered with.
• If you suspect that you've fallen victim to an ATM scam, report it to your bank within 24 hours. The bank has seven days to resolve the issue. If they fail to do so, they'll have to pay a fine of Rs. 100 per day to the customer.