CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police recently reported the discovering of skimming devices on two ATMs in Canton Township.
The plastic skimming devices were places over the original ATM card reader with the intent of capturing your financial data. Ruth to the Rescue has warned consumers about the dangers of skimming at ATMs, gas stations, and other spots where you use credit cards.
Working with the Better Business Bureau, Ruth to the Rescue has come up with these reminders to protect your debit card and your money.
1) Try to avoid using debit cards as much as possible. Many consumers like using the debit cards because they say it helps with budgeting, since they can't spend money the don't have, unlike with credit cards. However, when you use a debit card in many public places you raise the chances that someone might get their hands on that number.
Skimmers get the card info and can capture your PIN number giving thieves access to your money. And, that is your money! When thieves ring up charges on your credit card, it's the bank's money and you'll usually get the charges reversed. If thieves get access to your bank account, you could bounce other checks and run into other issue before the situation is cleared up.
2) Try to use ATMs in well-lit areas with security cameras. It's more difficult for thieves to attach skimmers in those areas, but not impossible.
3) Pay attention when using the ATM. You need to put down your phone, look at the machine, and be on the lookout for anything that seems out of place.
For example, if a bank logo is partially covered, you may have reason to be suspicious. The machines are meant to have the logos emblazoned clearly, so if a logo is partially covered, it could be a sign that something's not right.
4) The Better Business Bureau even suggests giving the equipment a quick wiggle, if something looks suspicious. If the skimmer has been added onto the machine, it could come right off. However, if something comes off you should notify the bank and/or police so no one thinks you had anything to do with that
added piece of equipment.
5) Take steps to protect your PIN. Use one hand to cover the other hand when you're entering that secret number. Scammers often use cameras to capture you entering the PIN, so try to block their view. Police say some skimmers have started putting an overlay on the key pad to record your digits, so you should also look very closely at the keypad to see if anything looks suspicious.
6) Monitor your accounts closely. Our Ruth to the Rescue checks his accounts online each week to make sure no suspicious charges have been entered. You really shouldn't want until the statement comes, but if you do, please review each charge very carefully.
7) Also, you can set alerts on your accounts to notify you if there's any suspicious activity.
Here are some other interesting pieces of information from Canton Police. They say skimming devices are typically placed over the weekend when banks are closed and left on for 24 to 48 hours. So, you might also be better off using ATMs during the week.
If the device is not Bluetooth enabled, suspects will attempt to retrieve the equipment, usually on Sunday evenings. The device is typically placed on ATMs where the card is not ingested by the machine during the transaction, but rather swiped quickly.