Card skimmers on prowl at ATMs
GET up close and personal with your ATM this Christmas to outwit “skimmers”.
Gympie Bank of Queensland branch owner/manager Jellina White says it’s a good idea to be familiar with the normal appearance of the automatic teller machine (ATM) you usually use.
“Get to know the appearance of your ATM — inspect the front of the ATM for unusual or non-standard appearance,” Ms White said. “Make sure you’re familiar with the look and feel of the ATM you use most often, paying particular attention to all of the touch and action points, for example keypad, customer card entry slot, lighting diffusers.”
Ms White adds if it doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to call your bank’s security hotline (it should be listed on the ATM), and find another ATM or a shop where you can use EFTPOS instead.
“It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your money,” Ms White said.
It’s timely advice with shoppers being warned to be vigilant following a recent increase in card skimmers located on ATMs.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay, of the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group, said while protecting your personal details was important at any time of year, the festive season was a popular time for fraudsters.
Police are warning people across south-east Queensland to protect themselves and keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
