ATM skimmer - good example of a traveler finding one in Vienna
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ATM skimmer - good example of a traveler finding one in Vienna
I'm impressed he found it. Good example of how sophisticated the skimming devices can be. Obviously you have to be aware of these at home as well...not just while traveling.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=67d_1466791325
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=67d_1466791325
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The moral of this story:
1. Never use an exterior (out in the open) ATM when traveling. The style of ATM in the video is easy for a criminal to manipulate at off-hours without detection.
2. Find a bank that requires customers to "enter" a specific ATM area. Vestibule-equipped ATMs are typically under camera surveillance and are safer.
3. Always check the card-entry slot before using your card. If it seems flimsy or falls off, report it and move on to another bank.
4. Only visit an ATM during OPEN banking hours.
1. Never use an exterior (out in the open) ATM when traveling. The style of ATM in the video is easy for a criminal to manipulate at off-hours without detection.
2. Find a bank that requires customers to "enter" a specific ATM area. Vestibule-equipped ATMs are typically under camera surveillance and are safer.
3. Always check the card-entry slot before using your card. If it seems flimsy or falls off, report it and move on to another bank.
4. Only visit an ATM during OPEN banking hours.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since someone is filming him as he walks to the ATM machine, this is obviously a re-enactment. Did he leave the skimmer there while he went off and got somebody to film him as he strolled through the square? It also sounds like an ad for his security company, and, cynic that I am, I wonder if it's all staged. (I don't mean to sound as though I suspect the OP.)
The design of the bank's card reader, with its protruding card slot, seems to be made for the convenience of crooks. All the ATMs I've seen in Italy have readers that are flush with the machine, and it wouldn't be as easy to attach an unobtrusive skimmer.
Although I'm sure that skimmers exist in all countries.
The design of the bank's card reader, with its protruding card slot, seems to be made for the convenience of crooks. All the ATMs I've seen in Italy have readers that are flush with the machine, and it wouldn't be as easy to attach an unobtrusive skimmer.
Although I'm sure that skimmers exist in all countries.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,045
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It doesn't look like a bank ATM.
I wonder if he planted it. It is too suspicious that he just happened to find it, walked around a bit, saved someone from it and managed to film it all. Plus he happens to work in "cyber security", and gets in a name drop.
Also though posted on the site a couple of days ago there is no indication of when it was made.
Skimming is almost non existent in Europe now, and is far more common in other parts of the world, which is why European cards are often blocked outside of Europe and have to be turned on for use outside the EU.
Americans frequently claim their card was compromised when visiting Europe (often on day 1 or 2) but it was more likely compromised at home before they left.
We only have the magnetic strip still because of the US, even on our ATM/debit cards. ATMs read the chip when it is available, not the strip. Time for cards to be chip only. Put skimmers out of business in one go.
If America doesn't want chips at home then they should issue chip only cards to people travelling.
Always check an ATM, no matter where in the world you are, and don't use it for your credit card as this so called expert says he was. Unless you want to be robbed by your bank and it's interest charges that is.
I wonder if he planted it. It is too suspicious that he just happened to find it, walked around a bit, saved someone from it and managed to film it all. Plus he happens to work in "cyber security", and gets in a name drop.
Also though posted on the site a couple of days ago there is no indication of when it was made.
Skimming is almost non existent in Europe now, and is far more common in other parts of the world, which is why European cards are often blocked outside of Europe and have to be turned on for use outside the EU.
Americans frequently claim their card was compromised when visiting Europe (often on day 1 or 2) but it was more likely compromised at home before they left.
We only have the magnetic strip still because of the US, even on our ATM/debit cards. ATMs read the chip when it is available, not the strip. Time for cards to be chip only. Put skimmers out of business in one go.
If America doesn't want chips at home then they should issue chip only cards to people travelling.
Always check an ATM, no matter where in the world you are, and don't use it for your credit card as this so called expert says he was. Unless you want to be robbed by your bank and it's interest charges that is.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I learned from NYCFoodSnob's list. I never thought to look for an ATM in a vestibule, but I will now. I knew about bank ATM's being safer than no-name ones, but I appreciate the heads up. Thank you NYCFS!
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It might help if you listen to the dialogue in addition to watching the video. He CLEARLY indicated that he just spotted this, and was filming it to show what one sees. Was he a scammer or spammer, maybe, but if he was, he should have written a better script that didn't start with "I just found this".
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I always look for an ATM inside if possible but you most certainly CANNOT always use one or say you won't use an ATM unless you find one of those. Because sometimes they just aren't around. And in a few cases where I've been, you could not enter them unless you were a bank customer and had that bank's card to swipe to enter or some PIN or something. I remember that happening at some banks I've seen in Prague.
I'm not sure I've ever seen an ATM inside a vestibule in the neighborhoods where I stay in Paris, just like I've never seen one that way at home where I live. My bank only has outdoor ATMs, even at the bank location. You usually can find some inside an airport or train station, but not always in some other areas.
I'm not sure I've ever seen an ATM inside a vestibule in the neighborhoods where I stay in Paris, just like I've never seen one that way at home where I live. My bank only has outdoor ATMs, even at the bank location. You usually can find some inside an airport or train station, but not always in some other areas.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>you could not enter them unless you were a bank customer and had that bank's card to swipe to enter>>
We didn't find this to be true in Italy. We swiped our Capital One debit card for several banks in Tuscany, and the doors opened to let us into the ATM area. Our cards don't even have Cirrus or anything else written on them.
We didn't find this to be true in Italy. We swiped our Capital One debit card for several banks in Tuscany, and the doors opened to let us into the ATM area. Our cards don't even have Cirrus or anything else written on them.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The other part missing was the camera or something else to pick up the password. For me it looked a little too smooth especially showing a little dab of glue. My initial thought was that it was staged. Somewhat like the pickpocketing videos that you frequently see. But still that is how scammers are attached and look like.