Do you normally withdraw money from ATMs? If this is your case, you should keep reading… This action is part of the daily routine for millions of people, although it’s true digital payments and mobile wallets are becoming more popular. When we talk about cash it seems to be something so oldfashioned, but we still need it on some occasions and how can we get cash fast? Through ATMs.
Most people know about the basic safety measures when using these machines: covering the PIN, looking around you to make sure nobody watches you, and avoiding anyone seeing the screen. However, there’s a detail at the end of the operation that almost nobody thinks it’s dangerous, the question: ‘’Do you want a receipt?’’ Pressing ‘’yes’’ seems harmless, but safety experts warn about how this simple action can make you a scam victim (which is very common nowadays). So, let’s learn more about this.
Information on an ATM receipt
At first glance, the ATM receipt seems like a piece of paper, nothing relevant. It doesn’t include your PIN nor your full card number, that’s why people think it’s safe but I’m afraid this is not true. Sometimes we take it because we are used to do this, but you should know that this piece of paper offers very useful clues for a fraudster like:
- Last digits of the card: Even if only the last numbers appear, criminals can use them to make their story sound more convincing. A call that begins with “Are you the holder of the card ending in 4532?” already feels authentic.
- Balance information: The receipt includes details about the funds in your account. This is valuable insight for scammers because it allows them to tailor their approach and create a fraud attempt that seems more convincing and directed specifically at you.
How scammers use ATM receipts
Fraudsters are always waiting for the right moment to take advantage of any mistake or lack of concentration you may have. In the ATMs case, they tend to use small pieces of information to create a believable scam. Do you know the most classic one? The fake call from the bank:
- The scammer uses the last card digits, the balance, and other numbers from the receipt.
- With this, they can pose as a bank employee and lower your guard.
- From there, they ask for sensitive data such as passwords, verification codes, or even try to get you to approve a fake transaction.
So, if you throw the receipt away without care, it’s like almost leaving your balance written for anyone to find it.
Protect yourself when using an ATM
Good habits are still the best defence against fraudsters. Now, let’s have a look at what you can do, apart from avoiding receipts:
- Check balances digitally: Use your bank’s official mobile app or online banking instead of relying on printed receipts.
- Destroy receipts: If you need the paper for another reason, keep it at home and shred or tear it once you are done with it.
- Stay alert: Frauds evolve as fast as technology. Cover your PIN, keep an eye on your surroundings, and never leave any clue behind.
If you follow these measures, you will be reducing quite a lot of the chances of being a scam victim. Nobody likes experiencing these types of situations, right?
So…
Next time you use an ATM you now know what to do: remember to not ask for a receipt unless you really need it. And, in case you do it, keep it very safe or destroy it immediately. We don’t want to run the risk of the receipt ending up in the wrong hands.