Be a Vigilant ATM card User – List of Safety Tips - DiversityHuman.com - It's all about us. It's all about you!

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Be a Vigilant ATM card User – List of Safety Tips

Thursday, January 2 2014

Be a Vigilant ATM card User – List of Safety Tips

There are already a lot of ATM safety tips that you can find on the magazines, internet and newspaper. I just want to refresh these things on your mind and probably add more guidelines for you to become more cautious when using an Automated Teller Machine.

atm-user-safety-tips

In case there are some readers who haven’t come across the term ATM yet or are still planning to have their first ATM card, here is a brief definition.

ATM or Automated Teller Machine is an electronic banking outlet, which allows customers to complete basic transactions without the aid of a branch representative or teller.

ATMs are becoming more secured nowadays as numerous robbers or atm theives were already caught together with them were the unveiling of their dirty tactics which made ATM users more aware. But as technology advances, these thieves have devised more advanced robbing schemes too. These thieves attach fraud devices to ATMs in a bid to steal card data and PINs. This method has been around even before.

But a skimmer or ATM thief discovered in Brazil last month takes this sort of fraud to another height, he used an utterly fake ATM designed to be stacked directly on top of a legitimate, existing cash machine. This is very alarming and ATM users might fell for this trap if they will not be clever enough to distinguish its difference from the original one.

Let us be more guarded by following these tips:

As much as possible, utilize ATMs which are located in an open business area. Refrain from using ATMs located in mistrustful areas or the ones that are located in dim corners. Thieves consider these places as their asylum.

Avoid using street ATMs during night time. Use of ATM during night time poses more threats than it is during day time.

Be aware of distrustful and suspicious persons or vehicles in the area of the ATM. If you are in doubt, avoid that ATM and look for another one.

Pull out your ATM card out of your wallet or purse before approaching the ATM. A hefty wallet or purse will attract those bad guys even more.

Never write your ATM personal identification number on your card or keep the number in your wallet. I guess it is not that hard to memorize a four to six – digit PIN right? Writing your PIN in your ATM card is like giving it away to the thieves as a bargain.

When entering your personal identification number, try to keep the numbers from the view of others. Cover it with your hands or hanky as much as possible.

Don’t withdraw large amounts of cash. Have only the amount that you really need or withdraw your money multiple times in small amounts and in different ATMs if you really need that much.

Secure your money at the ATM. Don’t walk away with money in hand. Put it in your bag or wallet straight away.

Always take your receipt with you. Some information in that receipt might give these thieves some clues.

If a robber demands your money, don’t argue or fight with the suspect. Note the robber’s description and give the robber the money. Resistance to such robbery attempt might cause you your life which I believe is priceless and is more important than that money.

Report all robberies to police as soon as possible and call for the authorities’ help immediately.

Learn to differentiate authentic ATMs from the fake ones, study the features of an original ATM if possible. It’s dimension, its texture, color, etc.

Be on your guard every time you use an ATM. Please follow the safety tips above for your own protection. Be a watchful ATM user.

Sherwin