ATM Safety

ATMs provide convenient access to your money, but criminals may target both ATM users and the machines themselves. Fraud can involve stolen cards, hidden cameras, fake card readers, keypad overlays, skimming devices or small devices placed inside card readers.

You do not need to identify exactly what type of device may have been installed. If an ATM or payment terminal looks damaged, altered or unusual, do not use it.

Choose an ATM Carefully

• Use ATMs in secure, well-lighted locations. When possible, consider ATMs located at or inside a bank or credit union or another established location.
• Be aware of your surroundings. If someone is standing unusually close, watching you or offering unsolicited help, cancel the transaction and use another ATM.
• Avoid using an ATM if the area makes you uncomfortable. If lighting is poor, the location is isolated or something does not seem right, find another machine.
• Have your card ready before approaching the ATM. This can help you complete the transaction efficiently without searching through a wallet or purse at the machine.
• Do not accept help from strangers. If you experience a problem, cancel the transaction and contact your bank, credit union or the ATM operator through a trusted number.

Inspect the ATM Before Using It

Criminals may attach devices to the outside of an ATM or place equipment inside the card reader.

Before inserting your card, look at the machine for anything that appears unusual.

• Look for loose, crooked, damaged or unusually bulky parts.
• Check for anything attached over or around the card slot.
• Look for unusual attachments around the keypad.
• Watch for signs of tampering, such as adhesive residue, damaged panels or parts that do not appear to fit properly.
• If the card reader feels unusual or your card encounters unexpected resistance, cancel the transaction and use another machine.

Do not try to remove a suspicious device yourself. Notify the ATM owner, financial institution or appropriate authorities.

Protect Your PIN

Criminals may use hidden cameras, fake keypad overlays or other methods to capture PINs.

• Cover the keypad with your hand while entering your PIN.
• Do not allow another person to watch you enter your PIN.
• Never tell someone your PIN because they claim they need it to help with an ATM problem.
• Do not write your PIN on your card or keep it with your card.

What Is Card Skimming?

Skimming involves equipment designed to capture payment-card information from a card reader. Criminals may install skimming devices on ATMs, fuel pumps or other payment terminals.

A skimming operation may also use a hidden camera or altered keypad to capture a PIN.

Some skimmers are attached over the legitimate card reader, while others may be hidden inside the machine and difficult for consumers to see.

What Is Card Shimming?

Shimming generally refers to the use of a thin electronic device placed inside a chip-card reader to capture information exchanged when a card is inserted.

Because a shim may be hidden inside the reader, it can be difficult or impossible for a customer to identify simply by looking at the machine.

This makes other protections—such as covering your PIN, monitoring transactions and promptly reporting suspicious activity—especially important.

Consider Contactless Payments When Available

If an ATM or payment terminal supports contactless transactions, you may be able to tap your card or use an eligible mobile wallet rather than inserting or swiping your physical card.

This can reduce exposure to certain types of physical card-reader skimming because the card does not need to be inserted into or swiped through the compromised reader.

No payment method should be considered completely fraud-proof. Continue to monitor your accounts regardless of how you pay.

If Your Card Gets Stuck

If an ATM does not return your card:

• Do not accept assistance from a stranger.
• Do not provide your PIN to anyone.
• Do not leave the situation unattended without taking appropriate action.
• Contact the financial institution that issued your card using its official mobile app, the telephone number you already have on file or another trusted contact method.
• Consider locking or disabling the card through your financial institution's app if that feature is available.

Be Alert for ATM Distraction Scams

Not every ATM crime involves technology. Criminals may distract you while you are using the machine or immediately after a withdrawal.

Be cautious if a stranger:

• Tells you that you dropped something.
• Claims there is a problem with the ATM.
• Offers to help with your card.
• Attempts to get unusually close while you are completing the transaction.
• Tries to distract you while another person approaches the machine.

Maintain control of your card and cash throughout the transaction.

Protect Yourself at Drive-Up and Walk-Up ATMs

• At a walk-up ATM: Be aware of people or vehicles nearby and avoid displaying cash longer than necessary.
• At a drive-up ATM: Keep your doors locked and windows closed except when needed to complete the transaction.
• When the transaction is complete: Put away your card and cash before leaving.
• If you believe someone is following you: Do not drive home. Go to a safe, populated location or contact law enforcement if necessary.

Use Card Controls and Account Alerts

Many banks and credit unions offer account-management tools that can help customers detect or respond to suspicious card activity.

Depending on your financial institution, available features may include:

• Locking or unlocking a debit or credit card.
• Transaction alerts.
• ATM withdrawal alerts.
• Online or card-not-present transaction alerts.
• Purchase alerts based on transaction amount.
• Other card-management controls.

Available features vary by financial institution. Check your bank or credit union's mobile app, online banking service or customer-support resources to see what is available.

Monitor Your Accounts

Skimming or shimming may not be obvious when it happens. One of the best ways to identify possible card fraud is to monitor your accounts.

• Review account activity regularly.
• Enable transaction alerts when available.
• Pay attention to small unfamiliar transactions. Do not ignore a transaction simply because the amount is small.
• Report transactions you do not recognize promptly.

If You Think Your Card Was Compromised

• Contact your bank or credit union promptly. Use the institution's official mobile app, a trusted statement or the telephone number on the back of your card.
• Report any transactions you do not recognize.
• Lock or disable the card through your financial institution's app if the feature is available and appropriate.
• Ask whether the card should be replaced.
• Review recent account activity for additional unauthorized transactions.
• Change your PIN if your financial institution recommends doing so or if you believe it may have been exposed.
• Continue monitoring the account after the incident.

If Your Card Is Lost, Stolen or Retained by an ATM

Contact the financial institution that issued the card as soon as possible.

Prompt reporting is important because your protections and potential responsibility for unauthorized debit-card transactions can depend on how quickly a lost card or unauthorized activity is reported.

Remember

Inspect the machine, protect your PIN, consider contactless options when available, monitor your account and report suspicious activity quickly.

If an ATM looks damaged, altered or unusual, the safest choice is simple: cancel the transaction and use another machine.