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At Cash Points / ATMs

When withdrawing money at a cash machine or ATM, care should be taken to ensure your PIN is not seen and that your money cannot be snatched.

Follow the advice below to minimise the risk of becoming a victim of this kind of crime : 

Choosing a cash machine:

  • Put your personal safety first
  • Be aware of others around you
  • If there is anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering (see below), do not use the machine and report it to the bank immediately

Using an ATM:

  • Give other users space to enter their PIN in private
  • Be aware of your surroundings and who is around you 
  • Do not accept assistance from "well-meaning" strangers 
  • 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

Leaving the Machine:

  • Put you money and card away before leaving the cash machine. Avoid walking away from the machine with the money still in your hand.
  • If the cash machine does not return your card, report its loss immediately.
  • Dispose of your cash machine receipt, mini statement or balance enquiry with care.  Tear up, or preferably shred these items before discarding them.

You can read more advice by visiting the sites in the "Related Links" section of this page.


Tampered Cash Machines

Example of a tampered cash machine / ATM

  • On approaching a cash machine, be alert to any persons acting suspiciously nearby.
  • Before inserting your card take time to check that no suspicious devices appear to have been attached, either across the card slot or anywhere else on or adjacent to the machine. Note that there are many different types of such devices, the picture above is only one example.
  • If you are suspicious, under no circumstances should any attempt be made to remove the device.
  • The bank and the police should be contacted immediately.

 

 

Related Links