How to spot a Dodgy ATM

James

Photo's on links below of Dodgy ATM's


Photo's and articles.

Hidden Cameras - Key Pad Overlays - Skimmers.

Skimmers & Mirrors.

If you do spot something, don't try to remove it or draw attention to the fact you've spotted it but phone the police when safe to do so.

If you spot it after, rather than before using the Cash Point, tell your Card Issuer and keep a very close eye on your accounts.

I have photo's of ATMs which show signs of being tampered with in my local area. It's a very high percentage. Wish I knew how to put them on this site.

Sorry I can't help with dodgy PIN Entry Devices in Shops - There is NO way to physically spot these that I know of.

carlos1973

Good post, even better idea. I work in retail security and we frequently get briefs about ATM's and ways that they can be tampered with. I've often thought why don't the banks make this information, especially pictures, available to customers?

PinkPig

carlos1973 wrote: »

I've often thought why don't the banks make this information, especially pictures, available to customers?

A few cash machines have pictures (on the screen) of what the cash machine is supposed to look like. I think it would be great if this became standard because unless you know what appendages the ATM is supposed to have it's not very obvious if something's been tampered with.

ShelfStacker_3

Good post, but I would strongly suggest that before contacting the police, you tell the people who own the ATM first so they can disable it and stop anyone else using it.

Also, a good rule of thumb is to look for the little flashing green light under the card slot, which would be obscured by a skimming device. No green light? Don't put your card in.

hethmar

Thanks for the post, but Im still totally at a loss what is a false bit on an atm. Clearly the brochure holder would raise suspicion but all the other apendages seem to be impossible to spot unless you are an expert and are willing to stand there trying to lever them off to see if they are false?

A Waitrose atm near us has been done 3 times in about 18 months - its opposite the county police headquarters!

Oblivion

Good post. I am always very wary of ATMs outside of banks, supermarkets etc. for this very reason. Whenever possible, I use the ATM inside my local HSBC branch. There is always at least one customer services lady standing near the various machines to offer assistance if anyone needs it, and I'd like to think she'd soon spot any attempt to tamper with the ATM.

I also take the added precautions of standing very close to the keyboard with a carrier bag held up to the side of it to prevent anyone looking over my shoulder, and I always take my money to a 'wall-desk' with my body masking my actions as I check the note count. It then gets put away in a button-up pocket before I leave the bank.

Even then I keep a sharp lookout for any signs of being followed by a potential mugger afterwards. You can't be too careful.

Dave.

DCFC79

Its just common sense imo, if your unsure about an ATM then find 1 thats inside a bank or inside a supermarket

CFC

Great post. I'd heard of skimmers and cameras but had no idea what they looked like.

James

ShelfStacker wrote: »

Good post, but I would strongly suggest that before contacting the police, you tell the people who own the ATM first so they can disable it and stop anyone else using it.

Also, a good rule of thumb is to look for the little flashing green light under the card slot, which would be obscured by a skimming device. No green light? Don't put your card in.

Thanks for the info on the flashing green light. Good tip.

Reason I suggested reporting this to the police first is through personal experience. I spotted a TESCO ATM (owned by the RBS) which looked dodgy. I phoned RBS but the person I spoke to (eventually) didn't seem that bothered, and said he'd need to call someone else. The ATM was still in opeation an hour later.

ShelfStacker_3

James wrote: »

Thanks for the info on the flashing green light. Good tip.

Reason I suggested reporting this to the police first is through personal experience. I spotted a TESCO ATM (owned by the RBS) which looked dodgy. I phoned RBS but the person I spoke to (eventually) didn't seem that bothered, and said he'd need to call someone else. The ATM was still in opeation an hour later.

See, the best thing to do would have been to go into the Tesco branch and speak to someone there. Typically there'd have been someone there who could disable it (especially likely if this is a branch of a bank during business hours).

Rachie004

Great post! Is the green flashy light applicable to all ATMs? I don't think I'd be able to spot any of the signs as detailed in the websites you've linked to