Familiarity is key
Where possible, people are urged to use cash machines with which they are most familiar. If this is not possible then make sure they are well-lit and well-placed cash machines.
Check around you
Scan the whole cash machine area before you approach it. Avoid using the machine altogether if there are any suspicious-looking individuals around or if it looks unsafe.
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Keep your PIN secret.
Never reveal your PIN to anyone, whether this person is from your bank, a member of the police or a seemingly ‘helpful’ stranger.
Make sure that no one overcrowds you at the cashpoint and that everyone else is queueing at an acceptable distance. It is important to stay aware and watch out for people who might be trying to see you enter your PIN.
Stand close to the cash machine and shield the keypad with either your wallet, your other hand or your body when keying in your PIN.
If in doubt, walk away
Check to see if anything looks unusual or suspicious about the cash machine, indicating that it might have been tampered with. If it has anything attached to the card slot or keypad do not use it. Check for unusual instructions on the display screen and for suspicious blank screens. If you suspect that the cash machine has been interfered with, always go and find another machine and inform the bank.
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Avoid those which have messages or signs fixed to them indicating that the screen directions have been changed, especially if the message is posted over the card reader. Banks and other cash machine owners will not put up messages directing you to use specific cash machines.
Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you at a cash machine, even if your card is stuck or you are experiencing difficulty with the transaction. You should not allow anyone to distract you while you are at the cash machine.
Never force your card into the machine. If you feel the cash machine is not working normally, press the cancel key and withdraw your card. If your card gets jammed, retained or lost report this immediately to the bank and/or police using the help line provided or nearest phone.
Get a receipt
If you take out cash on a regular basis and tend to lose track of where and when, get a receipt each time so that you can compare your cash machine receipts to your monthly statement. Regularly check your account balance and bank statements and report any discrepancies to your bank immediately.
Graham Mott, head of planning and development at cash machine operator LINK, said: “Card skimming remains the most common cash machine crime, and it is important that the industry works with consumers to combat fraud in any form. We are pleased to see that this type of fraud fell in 2006, but we want to ensure that this continues and there are a number of ways in which consumers can ensure that they do not become victims.”
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