PABanker wrote:
Just to make sure I'm clear on this-
Are scammers posting signs at ATMs asking for 'help'?
I have heard of an ATM scam where the scammers place
their own "touch" screen and card reader over the top of the one that is already on the ATM machine. Then they put a sign on the ATM that tells the user that "we are trying out a new system, so please be patient if there are any problems with your transaction". Then the person at the ATM would swipe their card and enter thier PIN number, and a message would come up on the screen saying that the transaction cannot go through, so they would go to another ATM. But the scammer's fake screen and card reader have recorded all of the info, so now they can go and take money out of their account.
Yes, it is very high tech . . . best way to avoid it is to never use a ATM that has a sign on it about a new system, or if an ATM that you have used before looks different, don't use it. I have heard of it happening in Chicago . . . mostly at ATM's that are not in a high traffic place, since it would be harder to get the fake screen/card reader attached to one in a place like a busy shopping mall.