Friday, January 22, 2010

Watch Out! You are getting ripped off.

If you aren't aware, or you have believed these devices to be obvious, please look at some of these photos of ATM Skimmers. ATM Skimmers are devices built to look like they are a part of the ATM machine, but they are made and attached by theives. They record your card and have a camera which 'sees' what pin you type. Some skimmers even have a cell phone hidden away so they can send the data remotely.

Here are links to some articles with pictures, and below I will suggest a partial solution.
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/01/16/atm-skimmer----could.html

Here is a pic of a slot with a skimmer in place: http://twitpic.com/4pkn3
Here is a pic of a panel mounted to the top of the ATM which captures your pin and transmits via cell phone: http://twitpic.com/4pknu

A google search leads to many other pictures:
http://images.google.com/images?q=ATM+skimming

TIPS:
  • Avoid ATMs placed in secluded areas.
  • Be wary of anything that looks suspicious about the ATM slot (extra seams, different color plastic, etc)
  • Try to cover your hand while typing your pin.
  • Fake type numbers with your pin. Meaning between actual key presses make it look like you are pushing other keys.
  • If possible only use your bank ATMs and learn what they really look like.

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