Staying Safe at the ATM

At Clearview, we’re constantly taking steps to protect our members and their assets from the threats of identity fraud and theft. Identity theft has become an unfortunate fact of life in our society, and as such, financial institutions and their members are natural targets. In an effort to help keep you safe and aware, we wanted to share some information about ATM fraud.

Every year, thieves steal millions of dollars from consumers by skimming their personal account information. Skimming is when a thief uses a small device to steal credit or debit card information during an otherwise normal transaction. When a card is swiped through the skimmer, the device captures the card number and PIN. Thieves are then able to use the stolen data to make fraudulent charges with a counterfeit card or online.

Here are steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim:

• Use Secure ATMs: It’s best to use your card in secure areas. An ATM located in the lobby of a financial institution, for example, is relatively safe because the building is locked at night, the ATMs are serviced regularly, and there is video surveillance.
• Protect Your PIN: Wherever you use your PIN, make sure you cover your hand to ensure that no one is able to watch what you enter.
• Monitor Your Statements: If you monitor your statements regularly, you are much more likely to catch fraudulent transactions early and report them to your financial institution.
• While no one can directly prevent all attempts at identity theft, remaining educated and alert of the latest scams can go a long way in protecting yourself.

For more information on ATM Fraud, please visit our Security Center page on our website.