Know About ATM Skimming!

Do you know About ATM Skimming?

A type of fraud which occurs when an ATM is compromised by a skimming device, a card reader which can be disguised to look like a part of the machine. The card reader saves the users' card number and pin code, which is then replicated into a counterfeit copy for theft.
In 2008, more than $1 billion was stolen in ATM-related crimes.

ATM skimming is the process in which cyber criminals capture the data from the magnetic strip on the back of an ATM card, to steal your personal information and ultimately your cash. We want you to know how to identify the red flags! Essentially, ATM Skimming is a two-part process:- 
 1. The first part is the skimmer placed over an ATM’s real card slot, and it is placed there to look exactly like the original card slot.

 2. The second part is the hidden camera, always located nearby to capture your pin number. The camera can be located inside of a pinhole-sized slot, inside the card reader itself or can even be mounted on a brochure rack nearby.

The above picture is a real-life skimmer in use on an ATM. You can see how the arrows are very close to the reader. That is a sign a skimmer was installed over the existing one, since the real card reader would have some space before the arrows.

When you are pumping gas or grabbing some money for lunch out of the ATM, the last thing you want to worry about is your card information getting stolen.
Here are some tips, straight from the experts.

Check for Tampering:

*When you approach an ATM, check for some obvious signs of tampering at the top of the ATM, near the speakers, the side of the screen, the card reader itself, and the keyboard. If something looks different, such as a different color or material, graphics that aren't aligned correctly, or anything else that doesn't look right, don't use that ATM. The same is true for credit card readers.

*If you're at the bank, it's a good idea to quickly take a look at the ATM next to yours and compare them both. If there are any obvious differences, don't use either one, and report the suspicious tampering to your bank. For example, if one ATM has a flashing card entry to show where you should insert the ATM card and the other ATM has a plain reader slot, you know something is wrong. Since most skimmers are glued on top of the existing reader, they will obscure the flashing indicator.

*If the keyboard doesn't feel right—too thick, perhaps—then there may be a PIN-snatching overlay, so don't use it.

Think Through Your Steps:

Whenever you enter your debit card's PIN, Just assume there is someone looking. Maybe it's over your shoulder or through a hidden camera. Cover the keypad with your hand when you enter your PIN, "Stefan Tanase"(Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab) said.

Even if you don't notice the skimmer and swipe your card, covering your hand when you enter your PIN can keep you safe. Obtaining the PIN is essential, since the criminals can't use the stolen magnetic stripe data without it, Tanase said. Of course, that assumes the attacker is using a camera and not an overlay to obtain your PIN.

Criminals frequently install skimmers on ATMs that aren't located in overly busy locations since they don't want to be observed installing malicious hardware or collecting the harvested data. The ATMs inside banks are generally safer because of all the cameras, although some daring criminals do still succeed at installing them there. The ATM inside a grocery store or restaurant is generally safer than the one that is outside on the sidewalk. Stop and consider the safety of the ATM before you use it.

The chances of getting hit by a skimmer are higher on the weekend than during the week, since it's harder for customers to report the suspicious ATMs to the bank. Criminals typically install skimmers on Saturdays or Sundays, and then remove them before the banks reopen on Monday.

Stay Aware:

Pay attention to your phone. Banks and credit card companies generally have very active fraud detection policies and will immediately reach out to you, usually over phone or SMS, if they notice something suspicious. Responding quickly can mean stopping attacks before they can affect you, so keep your phone handy.

Just remember: If something doesn't feel right about an ATM or a credit card reader, just don't use it. And whenever you can, use the chip instead of the strip on your card. Your bank account will thank you.

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