Staying Safe from ATM Scams

At Clearview, we’re constantly taking steps to protect our members and their assets from the threats of identity fraud and theft. Identity fraud 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 scams.

Every year, thieves steal millions of dollars from consumers by skimming their personal account information. According to Bankrate, over 161,000 cards were compromised due to skimming activity in 2022.

Skimming, which is one of the most common types of ATM scams, 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.

Look for tampering

Regardless of what ATM you’re using, it’s important to know some common signs that may indicate that it’s been tampered with:

• Inspect the ATM as a whole. If anything looks unusual — cracked, loose, scratched, or taped — don't use it.
• Cameras are usually hidden in the pamphlet holds. Skimmers are located on the card insert area and will typically make it look bulkier.
• Wiggle the card slot to see if it’s loose-fitting.
• Look at the machine to see if there is evidence of a skimmer on the machine such as disturbances in the dirt pattern, residual sticky substances from possible attachment of skimming device, etc.
• Check to see if anything's hanging from the ATM.

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. This will help protect you from any potential cameras pointed at the keypad that are trying to capture your PIN.

Monitor your statements for ATM scams

If you monitor your statements regularly, you’re much more likely to catch fraudulent transactions early and report them to your financial institution. You can set up alerts and notifications for your account using Card Defense® in digital banking. If you spot unusual activity on your Clearview account, you can temporarily suspend your card.

If you think you’ve found a camera or skimming device, do not touch it! Instead, immediately report the findings to Clearview personnel where we’ll take appropriate action. While no one can directly prevent all attempts at identity theft, remaining educated and alert of the latest ATM scams can go a long way in protecting yourself.

For more information on ATM scams and ways to protect yourself from identity fraud, please visit our Security Center page on our website.