ATMs pose risk to your credit and debit cards

Follow these tips to keep your credit card and debit card safe from thieves.

09:04 10 June 2013

Keeping credit card numbers and debit card numbers might be more difficult. Newer technology has been implemented to reduce the possibility of digital fraud, but people using ATMs can also become easy targets. Here are a few ways to try and keep your debit card and credit card numbers safe from would-be thieves.

  

• Store your credit card or debit card in a safe place, but also one that is easily accessed by you. You may put yourself at more risk if it is difficult for you to put your credit card or debit card away while standing at the ATM. 

 

• Do not use ATMs with a long line since it would be difficult to know if the people are there specifically to gang up on an unsuspecting person to obtain a credit card or debit card. Similarly, if someone allows you to go in front of them, politely decline. They may just be very polite, but they could also be planning to try and watch you enter your pin code and snatch your credit card or debit card when it comes out of the machine. 

 

• If you have 10-key skills this is a good time to use them. Placing multiple fingers on the number pad, may make it more difficult for people to decipher the pin number on your credit card or debit card than if you use just one finger to punch in the code. 

 

• Try to stand in front of the machine when you enter your code so that others cannot watch you enter the pin code. Some machines have a slight overhang to help shield you from people looking over your shoulder. 

 

• For your own security, and to keep your debit card or credit card more secure, try to use ATMs, which have a security camera that can catch suspicious activity. If something happens,you will be more likely to receive funds back if the bank can press charges against the thief.