ATM card scam alert, NC and elsewhere
Jun 25th, 2004, 06:38 AM
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ATM card scam alert, NC and elsewhere
A posting on another board reminded me that local news is reporting a rash of a familiar (but annoying) scam in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary-RTP area that, they say, is resurfacing elsewhere, too. Thought I'd alert others about to travel around the US -- you've heard it before. Heads up, again:
Criminals are inserting small plastic sleeves in ATM card slots, particularly after banks close for the weekend or the night before a holiday. Victims insert their card -- nothing happens -- they try again -- nothing -- they try to cancel but often the card doesn't slide back out. They assume it's been "eaten" by the ATM and plan to call the bank at beginning of the next business day. Problems: 1. the thieves may have been able to observe the password; 2. they can retrieve sleeve plus card once the victims leave; 3. you should always call the 800 number a.s.a.p., whether you think the card was stolen or simply seized in error. If you wait a day or two, it might be claimed that you voluntarily allowed someone to use your card -- you can usually fight this successfully, but who wants the hassle?
There are some other established problems with ATM fraud, modification, etc. but this is one that should be immediately obvious to travelers.
One last thought: I try never to use any ATM not owned and run by a bank -- the "generic" ones in convenience and other stores could be rigged for who-knows-what kind of mischief, and will almost always include a surcharge.
Criminals are inserting small plastic sleeves in ATM card slots, particularly after banks close for the weekend or the night before a holiday. Victims insert their card -- nothing happens -- they try again -- nothing -- they try to cancel but often the card doesn't slide back out. They assume it's been "eaten" by the ATM and plan to call the bank at beginning of the next business day. Problems: 1. the thieves may have been able to observe the password; 2. they can retrieve sleeve plus card once the victims leave; 3. you should always call the 800 number a.s.a.p., whether you think the card was stolen or simply seized in error. If you wait a day or two, it might be claimed that you voluntarily allowed someone to use your card -- you can usually fight this successfully, but who wants the hassle?
There are some other established problems with ATM fraud, modification, etc. but this is one that should be immediately obvious to travelers.
One last thought: I try never to use any ATM not owned and run by a bank -- the "generic" ones in convenience and other stores could be rigged for who-knows-what kind of mischief, and will almost always include a surcharge.
Jun 25th, 2004, 06:58 AM
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Thanks, soccr. I checked my favorite "urban legends debunking" website, and this one was there as something that's actually true. Sighh. Maybe I'll put it in a Friday rant (rave to you for alerting us).
Jun 25th, 2004, 08:20 AM
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Yep - unfortunately this one is true.
Calling the bank customer service line immediately is important. The bank can cancel the ATM card right away so if anyone gets a hold of the card, they can't do anything with it.
Calling the bank customer service line immediately is important. The bank can cancel the ATM card right away so if anyone gets a hold of the card, they can't do anything with it.
Jun 25th, 2004, 08:45 AM
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I live in the RDU area, and that is reason number 349 that I never use an ATM card.
btw, this has been going on in Playa del Carmen Mexico for a couple of years, and Mexico and Brazil are way ahead of us in the credit card scam business.
btw, this has been going on in Playa del Carmen Mexico for a couple of years, and Mexico and Brazil are way ahead of us in the credit card scam business.
Jun 26th, 2004, 05:16 AM
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Worth knowing about another scam to capture passwords, card numbers, thanks to snopes.com: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/atmcamera.asp
