MONEY COMMENT
Top Tips For Avoiding Cash Machine Fraud

By Jane Mack (TMFJane)
November 10, 2004

Last week I had to ask a bunch of people to stand back and give me some privacy while I punched in my Personal Identification Number at the cash machine. There were three or four of them hovering right behind me and I felt rather annoyed at the invasion of my space.

Thankfully, I didn't feel particularly vulnerable as I was in a busy high street and there were loads of other people around. Besides, it seems we're more likely to fall victim to the fastest growing form of card fraud, which is operated by the sophisticated criminal who kits out cash machines with skimming devices and miniature cameras.

According to the Association of Payment Clearing Services (APACs) cash machine fraud has increased by 85% to £61 million during the past year although, as cardholders withdraw £144 billion from ATMs each year, there clearly aren't too many of these skimming devices around yet. It's the scale of the increase in the last year that's more astonishing.

APACs has come up with some top tips to protect yourself from cash machine fraud which are well worth noting:

• Be aware of others around you. If someone close by the cash machine is behaving suspiciously or makes you feel uncomfortable, go to another machine.
• Check the cash machine carefully - if there is anything unusual about it or there are signs of tampering, don't use it. And report your suspicions to the bank immediately.
• Do not accept help from 'well-meaning' strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
• Stand close to the cash machine and always shield the keypad to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN
• If the cash machine does not return your card, report its loss immediately to your bank
• Tear up or shred your cash machine receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries before discarding them.

It stands to reason that when you're waiting to use a cash machine, try not to crowd the person who's already using it. It might be me and I'm the sort of woman who's not afraid to yell out 'Hey, can I have some privacy please!' as I did the other day. Be warned that passers-by will stare at you with curiosity and you'll feel self-conscious and embarrassed even though all you did was forget to stand back a little!

Find out how to Keep Your Cards Safe.