Desperate skimmers resort to old ATM tricks
 

Now that Skimming is less profitable, thanks to the use of Chips, thieves are returning to old ATM tricks.

One is "Shouldering" where they read you pin number over your shoulder and later they, or an accomplice steals the card from you.

The other is blocking the slot the money comes out of. People often assume the machine is faulty and walk away. The thief then removes the blockage and takes your money. No where near as profitable as skimming but better than nothing seems to be their idea.
If and ATM fails to pay out there should be a number to call listed on the machine. If not call the police.
Do not walk away from the machine, or allow someone else to try while you are waiting.

Check all ATMs carefully before using them - make sure the mouth where the card goes in is correct, that there are no extras stuck on the machine anywhere - like a grey block on the body over the keypad. Look at the slot the money comes out. Make sure no-one is crowding you, and above all cover you hand while typing in your PIN.

BTW I read that as from tomorrow ATMs in the Netherlands (and maybe elsewhere in the EU too?) will no longer be able to read the magnetic strip on a card. Not sure if it is true - a bit of a worry for non European visitors though.

Magnetic strip issue at ATMs, if true, would not be a bit of a worry; it would a monumental problem for those coming from magnetic strip only countries. Cannot use cc with strip and cannot get cash using a debit card with strip.

I hope it is not true and if so, limited only to Netherlands.

I always use ATMs located in the doorway of the actual bank or better still inside the bank-just feel safer.

Well if it is true, don't blame the European banks. Blame the US banks and the US attitude in general about who cares what the rest of the world does, we'll do it our way. Magnetic strip cards should have been retired a decade ago but I understand the great cost to convert the entire American payment system but it wouldn't cost very much to issue hybrid cards with both the magnetic strips for use in the USA and the chip for use in the rest of the world in the same way the US still clings to antiquated systems of measurement and temperature.

Incidentally, apparently Citibank is now issuing, at least on its AA cards, chipped cards (although one would be crazy to use the Citi cards for foreign trips because of the immoral 3% foreign transaction fee).....stay tuned on that one.

Anyone know how to find out if this is happening to ATMs in other European countries, and, if so, when?

Anyone at all?