GLOSSARY
Cash machines are generally very safe, however they
do sometimes attract criminal attention so you still
need to follow common sense precautions when withdrawing cash.
To minimise the chances of having your card or card details stolen at a cash machine:
- If you spot anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it. Report it to the bank concerned immediately.
- Be alert and put your personal safety first. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction and go to another machine. Do not accept help from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
- Stand close to the cash machine. Always shield the keypad with your free hand and your body to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN.
- Once you have completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine. If the cash machine does not return your card,
report its loss immediately to your card company. Destroy or preferably
shred your cash machine receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries when
you dispose of them.
Video footage seized by LINK, the UK’s cash machine network, reveals how criminals can try to get hold of your four-digit PIN when you use an ATM that they have targeted.
However, as the seized criminal footage shows, by simply shielding the keypad with your free hand, keys, wallet or purse, you can easily stop a criminal from finding out your PIN.
To watch the footage click here
