Bruce Mandelblit
Monday, Oct. 21, 2002

Your greatest crime risk, until now, when using an ATM machine was to be a victim of an armed robbery or somebody trying to "shoulder surf" your ATM card's PIN.

But now, according to a news release by the Florida Department of Banking and Finance, a new sophisticated scam has been reported. It is called ATM skimming. In this ingenious rip-off, lawbreakers are taking advantage of technology to make counterfeit ATM cards by using a "skimmer."

A skimmer is merely a card-swipe device that reads the information on a consumer's ATM card. The thief also captures the customer's PIN number with a small camera mounted in the skimmer itself or at another location near the ATM machine.

A Quick Security Tip: Since the ATM machine works normally, victims are unaware that they have just given a criminal the "keys" to their bank account.

According to law enforcement officials, these skimming rings will often send their stolen ATM data to remote locations, including overseas, where factories are ready to manufacture sham debit and credit cards.

It is estimated that nationwide, ATM skimming has resulted in monetary losses exceeding $4 million; however, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Skimming has risen substantially in just the past few months alone, and these high-tech bandits are fast gaining in their technical finesse, including purchasing their own ATM machines to capture your personal banking data.

Here are some tips to help reduce the opportunity that these crooked criminals will skim your ATM card:

1. Be wary of anything about the ATM machine that looks out of the ordinary, such as odd-looking equipment or a wire attached to the device.

2. Be wary of a "no tampering" sign. These are often placed by crooks to thwart anyone curious about a new piece of equipment.

3. Be wary of a jammed ATM machine that forces customers to use another ATM that has a skimmer attached.

4. Customers should also check their bank accounts regularly to make sure there are no unusual or unauthorized transactions.

   A Quick Security Tip: Federal law limits loss from ATM fraud, and many banks offer additional protection. Consumers should check with their financial institution for details.

5. If you see anything unusual or suspicious around an ATM machine, or if you find unauthorized ATM transactions on your bank account, notify local law enforcement as well as your financial institution and/or the establishment where the ATM is located.

6. It is also a good idea to never give your PIN to anyone.

A Quick Security Tip: To help mitigate ATM skimming, an Electronic Funds Transfer Association Task Force has been established and will seek countermeasures to the rising use of skimming devices to steal money and information from ATM machines. This task force will work closely with law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service.

For more information on ATM skimming, log on to www.dbf.state.fl.us.

A Final Thought: This is a heads-up for all Americans to be aware of the destructive contemporary fraud of ATM skimming. It is an ironic twist that for these sophisticated outlaws, even more valuable than the ATM machine itself, filled with stacks and stacks of cash, is your personal bank data.

So, be alert and smart: If the ATM machine you are about to use doesn't look right, just don't use it!

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit

"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel - the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.

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