The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not be current. This website may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; we do not recommend or endorse the contents of any third-party sites. Readers of this website should contact their attorney, accountant or credit counselor to obtain advice with respect to their particular situation. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or not act on the basis of information on this site. Always seek personal legal, financial or credit advice for your relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney or advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective employers.
Credit.com receives compensation for the financial products and services advertised on this site if our users apply for and sign up for any of them. Compensation is not a factor in the substantive evaluation of any product.
By Glenn West
What would life be without the 2.2 million automated teller machines (ATMs) that give millions of Americans ready access to their bank accounts every day? ATMs are convenient for anyone who needs fast access to cash — including, unfortunately, identity thieves.
While you may worry about identity thieves targeting you while you shop online or that your personal information may be caught up in a data breach at the hospital where you had surgery last year, the truth is the majority of identity theft occurs in ways that are much lower-tech. It’s much more likely that a criminal might target your ATM use than pilfer your information online.
Fortunately, you have a lot of control over how secure you are at the ATM. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft when you use an ATM.
Choose Your ATM Wisely
Look for machines located in secure areas, such as in the lobby of a bank that can only be accessed with a bank card, or one in a high-traffic public location. It will be harder for identity thieves to ply their tricks on a securely located ATM.
Be Aware of Who is Around You When You Use a Walk-Up ATM
Shoulder surfing — peering over someone’s shoulder while they type a PIN — is a leading way crooks swipe PIN and account numbers. If someone is standing too close and making you uncomfortable, don’t use the ATM. Walk away and find another one.
Examine an ATM for Signs of Tampering Before You Use It
Identity thieves have been known to attach devices to the machines that steal information when you insert your card. Loose, damaged or odd-looking parts such as the card slot or the keypad may indicate the ATM has been corrupted.
Keep an Eye on Your Bank Account and Your Credit Report
Often, those are the first places where evidence of identity theft or fraud will show up.
Image: Hemera Technologies
October 19, 2023
Identity Theft and Scams
May 17, 2022
Identity Theft and Scams
May 20, 2021
Identity Theft and Scams