Article on Yahoo: The Secret of ATM Thieves

[goterps74]

How They Steal Your ATM Card (With Pics!)
Tue Jan 2, 2007 3:17AM EST

Maybe my parents were right in refusing to get an ATM card for close to a decade. ATM fraud is the latest craze (I've written about ATM scams previously) in petty theft. Despite the security cameras, thieves seem to be targeting ATMs in record numbers, probably because the end result—cold, hard cash—is impossible to trace (unlike a stolen credit card) and loses none of its value when liquidated (unlike your Barry Manilow record collection).

The last scam I wrote about used an MP3 player to record bank account numbers and PIN codes. This scam, which seems much more commonplace, is far less high-tech. But rather than explaining at length, take a look at this series of security cam pictures, to see how a thief does the job. In a nutshell: He inserts a sliver of film into the slot, which traps your card when you insert it. Once it's stuck, he asks if you need help, gets you to give up your PIN code, and snags the card after you've left the machine, having given up hope. These little pieces of film are known as "Lebanese Loops."

The Lebanese Loop is actually a pretty crude method for stealing cards. I linked to it in the prior post, but I'll link to it again, just because the warning bears repeating: Thieves can craft clever pieces of equipment that look just like the ATM they're targeting and mount them right on the front of the bank machine. Check out this series of photos from my old alma mater, which includes a device to copy your card and photograph you while you enter your PIN code, leaving you none the wiser.

Bottom line: If you see anything that looks out of place on an ATM you're using, don't insert your card into it, and inform your bank (or the establishment you're in) immediately. Be safe out there!

http://f3.yahoofs.com/ymg/null/null-...lR1z8CCgTIQbjg
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1 Posted by rwinthrow(email address removed) on Tue Jan 2, 2007 8:26PM EST Report Abuse
Nice InFo. Thanks. 2 Posted by kross_n_val on Tue Jan 2, 2007 8:29PM EST Report Abuse
I have never heard of this scam before. Thx for the heads up. 3 Posted by spazz_azz on Tue Jan 2, 2007 8:46PM EST Report Abuse
Wouldn't it make sense then..for banks to start using the ATM machines that you SLIDE your card right through? DUH 4 Posted by paxton_135 on Tue Jan 2, 2007 10:21PM EST Report Abuse
your mom 5 Posted by christopher9972002 on Tue Jan 2, 2007 10:28PM EST Report Abuse
I worked in a prison, primarily white collar douche bags, just like this...who did similar crimes. It never failed to amaze me of the gullibility of their victims...and how their naivity led to there own demise. 6 Posted by erikgraeff on Tue Jan 2, 2007 10:33PM EST Report Abuse
I can't believe this scam works. What kind of an bad would give up his pin code to some stranger that walks up to render help? 7 Posted by magicgirl9102 on Tue Jan 2, 2007 10:49PM EST Report Abuse
i totally agree with you chris!! sometimes it's really obivious and yet they get tricked 8 Posted by chulita78 on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:00PM EST Report Abuse
Good Info, What some lazy people do for money. 9 Posted by athtra on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:18PM EST Report Abuse
thanks for the info 10 Posted by athtra on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:18PM EST Report Abuse
thanks for the info 11 Posted by babymama_jaf on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:31PM EST Report Abuse
I think it was kool someone wanted to put you up on whats going on, but who in their right mind is going to give a total stranger their pin number??? You have to be the stupidest person walking to do something like that. 12 Posted by marypawlicki on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:33PM EST Report Abuse
someone emailed this to me and after i watched it what did not make sense was the dollar amount they said they got. ATMs only give up to $200 per day right so this seems like it's not real. 13 Posted by freckledee on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:36PM EST Report Abuse
In effect, you're saying that the cash I have tied up in Manilow vinyl and CDs is secure? I'll buy more! I don't use an ATM, but found the article informative. Thanks! 14 Posted by hunneebee22 on Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:57PM EST Report Abuse
I never use my card at ATMs anymore, not because of the scams, but because it's just easier to get cash back at the stores. So many of them offer that option now that why bother to go out of your way to an ATM when you'll probably go to a store sometime this week anyway where you can just get the cash back while you're at it? Seems safer, too. 15 Posted by tinkerbelleswitch on Wed Jan 3, 2007 1:23AM EST Report Abuse
This is helpful & stupid at the same time. I rarely use ATMS because most face the sun & on hot days, the buttons will burn your fingers in seconds. Also, several are at the back of most banks or on a side of the building that's not in a heavy traffic area. If I must use the ATM for cash withdrawl or a deposit, I use the walk ups near the front or inside a grocery store. Anyone who'd give over their pin number for help with their card at the ATM deserves to have their account drained by a scammer. If a machine ate my card, I'd head inside to complain. Or if I couldn't because it's closed, I'd be on my cell phone to the bank's customer service number to complain. As hunneebee22 states, it's easier to get cash back when you make a purchase. Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, your grocery & convenience stores all will give you cash back. They don't charge & it's easier to get money that way than to go out of your way to the bank. It's also a whole lot safer too & less chance of those Loop strips. 16 Posted by helenkad999 on Wed Jan 3, 2007 1:36AM EST Report Abuse
this is amazing! but your article could go two ways: 1. readers will be more careful with the PIN and ATM cards OR 2. readers might start their own cash-stealing crave nice info tho ;) 17 Posted by only4me2u on Wed Jan 3, 2007 2:39AM EST Report Abuse
Thank you for posting this information for everyone out there! I have a ATM card but instead of having a pin number I use the Credit part everytime. I don't use cash that often at all. That way it saves me from bouncing checks and overdrafting as well;) 18 Posted by chupat01 on Wed Jan 3, 2007 4:22AM EST Report Abuse
I can't thank you enough for this info. I'll be sure to send to my family and friends. 19 Posted by max_ecgassurances on Wed Jan 3, 2007 5:30AM EST Report Abuse
nahh ain't nobody can scam me like that, I'll break the muther****er in pieces 20 Posted by velle_b on Wed Jan 3, 2007 7:06AM EST Report Abuse
What?. This is nothing new. In South Africa it's common sense. I've been warn about this scam about 10 years ago when I got my first ATM card. More Results: | Next