Mutt
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Contents
Fraudulent schemes progress along with humanity, not lagging behind civilization a step. The result is the most sophisticated and incredible ways to steal money. Thus, in large cities and regional centers, ATMs are becoming objects of increased interest on the part of cybercriminals. More precisely, not even the machines themselves and the cash stored in them, but the process of withdrawing money by the holders of plastic cards. The only exception, perhaps, can be ATMs in guarded public places or directly on the territory of banking institutions, although fraudsters sometimes get so impudent that they "get in" there too. In this review, we will talk about the so-called scotch-tape method, when, in order to implement the intent, the fraudster must be able at the right time (literally for a few minutes) to be alone with the ATM and stick the scotch tape in a certain place.
Scotch tape method - stealing money when withdrawing cash from an ATM
Recently, fraudsters have become more active who work according to the most primitive scheme: gluing the "window" for issuing money with transparent tape. An unsuspecting person inserts his card into the ATM card reader, enters the PIN code and the amount required for withdrawal, and waits for cash to be dispensed.
First of all, the ATM issues a card, and only later the counting of bills begins (this paper rustle cannot be confused with anything), which are about to appear in the dispenser (device for dispensing money). But they are not there - the formed stack of banknotes did not come out, as is usually the case, and in most cases a person only has to shrug, pick up the card and leave, scolding the ATM for a malfunction or for lack of money in it. And even a check confirming the amount issued will not indicate to everyone that something is wrong here!
Thus, as soon as the person leaves the ATM, the fraudster calmly removes the tape and takes the cash, and then hangs up the tape again and expects a new victim.
How can you protect yourself from such fraud?
How can you be guaranteed to be protected from such fraudulent manipulations? The main rule is that when debiting cash from a card at an ATM, in no case should you leave the machine without money! In any doubtful situation (non-issuance of money or non-return of the card), without leaving the ATM, you need to contact a bank representative by phone, report the problem and follow the instructions - the phone numbers of customer support services usually indicate the turnover of payment cards or directly on the console of the self-service device (terminal or ATM).
Here are some general tips to help you understand how to behave near an ATM to avoid being scammed and losing money:
1. You should take care that while using the ATM directly behind your back or in your field of vision there are no strangers. In uncrowded places, it is worth paying attention to people standing (supposedly from idleness) not far from the ATM, especially in the dark - the risk of becoming a victim of an intruder is too great.
2. Before inserting the card into the card reader and authorizing it using the PIN-code, the device should be briefly examined for the presence of obviously foreign devices, protruding wires or tape, and other conspicuous unusual changes. For example, the slot of the bill extractor sealed with adhesive tape or the fishing line sticking out of the card receiver (read about a similar fraud - the Lebanese loop).
3. If you have the slightest suspicion of outside interference with the ATM, you should immediately notify the bank about your assumptions. In any case, if funds were debited from the card, but the money was not issued, you do not need to leave immediately, especially if you clearly heard the rustle of counted bills and the ATM issued you a check for debiting a certain amount from your account. Perhaps, after an unsuccessful attempt to exit the banknotes, the ATM will “swallow” the money back and return the previous balance to the card (usually in this case, a notification “money not issued” appears on the screen).
4. Unbelievable, but there are times when the owner, in order not to forget the PIN-code, writes it down on the back of the plastic card - this cannot be done under any pretext, as well as store the code written on a piece of paper next to the "plastic" in the wallet, and etc. Elementary frivolity and simplicity will ultimately lead to the loss of money.
5. When withdrawing cash from an ATM, you should not be distracted from the notifications on the screen - usually financial transactions at each stage are accompanied by characteristic messages: “take the card”, or “take the money”. It is better to let the ATM take the money itself, canceling the write-off operation at the last moment, than a fraudster will take possession of the money after the client leaves.
It should be noted that the ATM scotch tape method is especially common in large cities. Wherever you are, be extremely careful and attentive, especially when it comes to your money. Fraudsters were, are and will be, and our task is not to fall for their tricks!
- 1. Adhesive tape method - stealing money when withdrawing cash from an ATM
- 2. How to protect yourself from such fraud?
Fraudulent schemes progress along with humanity, not lagging behind civilization a step. The result is the most sophisticated and incredible ways to steal money. Thus, in large cities and regional centers, ATMs are becoming objects of increased interest on the part of cybercriminals. More precisely, not even the machines themselves and the cash stored in them, but the process of withdrawing money by the holders of plastic cards. The only exception, perhaps, can be ATMs in guarded public places or directly on the territory of banking institutions, although fraudsters sometimes get so impudent that they "get in" there too. In this review, we will talk about the so-called scotch-tape method, when, in order to implement the intent, the fraudster must be able at the right time (literally for a few minutes) to be alone with the ATM and stick the scotch tape in a certain place.
Scotch tape method - stealing money when withdrawing cash from an ATM
Recently, fraudsters have become more active who work according to the most primitive scheme: gluing the "window" for issuing money with transparent tape. An unsuspecting person inserts his card into the ATM card reader, enters the PIN code and the amount required for withdrawal, and waits for cash to be dispensed.
First of all, the ATM issues a card, and only later the counting of bills begins (this paper rustle cannot be confused with anything), which are about to appear in the dispenser (device for dispensing money). But they are not there - the formed stack of banknotes did not come out, as is usually the case, and in most cases a person only has to shrug, pick up the card and leave, scolding the ATM for a malfunction or for lack of money in it. And even a check confirming the amount issued will not indicate to everyone that something is wrong here!
Thus, as soon as the person leaves the ATM, the fraudster calmly removes the tape and takes the cash, and then hangs up the tape again and expects a new victim.
How can you protect yourself from such fraud?
How can you be guaranteed to be protected from such fraudulent manipulations? The main rule is that when debiting cash from a card at an ATM, in no case should you leave the machine without money! In any doubtful situation (non-issuance of money or non-return of the card), without leaving the ATM, you need to contact a bank representative by phone, report the problem and follow the instructions - the phone numbers of customer support services usually indicate the turnover of payment cards or directly on the console of the self-service device (terminal or ATM).
Here are some general tips to help you understand how to behave near an ATM to avoid being scammed and losing money:
1. You should take care that while using the ATM directly behind your back or in your field of vision there are no strangers. In uncrowded places, it is worth paying attention to people standing (supposedly from idleness) not far from the ATM, especially in the dark - the risk of becoming a victim of an intruder is too great.
2. Before inserting the card into the card reader and authorizing it using the PIN-code, the device should be briefly examined for the presence of obviously foreign devices, protruding wires or tape, and other conspicuous unusual changes. For example, the slot of the bill extractor sealed with adhesive tape or the fishing line sticking out of the card receiver (read about a similar fraud - the Lebanese loop).
3. If you have the slightest suspicion of outside interference with the ATM, you should immediately notify the bank about your assumptions. In any case, if funds were debited from the card, but the money was not issued, you do not need to leave immediately, especially if you clearly heard the rustle of counted bills and the ATM issued you a check for debiting a certain amount from your account. Perhaps, after an unsuccessful attempt to exit the banknotes, the ATM will “swallow” the money back and return the previous balance to the card (usually in this case, a notification “money not issued” appears on the screen).
4. Unbelievable, but there are times when the owner, in order not to forget the PIN-code, writes it down on the back of the plastic card - this cannot be done under any pretext, as well as store the code written on a piece of paper next to the "plastic" in the wallet, and etc. Elementary frivolity and simplicity will ultimately lead to the loss of money.
5. When withdrawing cash from an ATM, you should not be distracted from the notifications on the screen - usually financial transactions at each stage are accompanied by characteristic messages: “take the card”, or “take the money”. It is better to let the ATM take the money itself, canceling the write-off operation at the last moment, than a fraudster will take possession of the money after the client leaves.
It should be noted that the ATM scotch tape method is especially common in large cities. Wherever you are, be extremely careful and attentive, especially when it comes to your money. Fraudsters were, are and will be, and our task is not to fall for their tricks!
