ATM = Automated Theft Machines

Based on an article in the Jan. 17, 2011 issue of Time magazine, "Automated Theft Machines," U.S. has become a hot spot for ATM crooks.  This kind of fraud is also occurring at gas stations and locations where you swipe your card and enter your PIN.  Debit-card holders are more vulnerable to this.  How do these crooks steal your information?  They may not be looking over your shoulder when you use the ATM, but they install a card-reading device and a camera into the ATM.  They come back later to remove their installations at the ATM and use the stolen information to withdraw money from the victims' accounts.  This is called ATM skimming and the perpetrators are known as skimmers.  The skimmers are getting sophisticated with the process.  They are going as far as creating a mold of the front of the ATM, from which "they build a plastic facade, 'sanded down and spray-painted to match the machine so that it is virtually undetectable'."  The magnetic-card reader that the skimmers' use can be easily bought online.  Their cameras are usually hidden "in a light fixture or brochure holder overlooking the keypad," but on occasions "a fake key panel overlaid on the real" one is how PINs are captured.

 How to protect yourself
1) Stay away from any machines "that have visible glue marks."
2) "Check for loose parts by tugging on the card-reading slot."
3) Use your other hand to cover the other when you enter your PIN.  Since it's winter time, use your scarf to cover your hand.
4) Pay extra attention at high traffic venues such as malls, airports, and gas stations when using ATMs or paying with debit card as they "may be more easily tampered with than bank ATMs."