ATM fraud

Shoulder surfing and card swapping are just some of the dangers you face when transacting at an ATM. Protecting yourself starts with being aware of how and when you're targeted.

A fraudster can seem like the friendliest person

Fraudsters often masquerade as friendly passers-by claiming to offer you assistance at an ATM. In truth it's all part of a careful ruse to confuse and frustrate you, and then steal your information. Some of their strategies include the following:

• Shoulder surfing occurs when someone stands close enough to watches you enter your PIN.
• Card swapping occurs when a fraudster distracts you while swapping your card with one so similar that you can't tell the difference.
• Card trapping occurs when fraudsters insert trapping devices into an ATM or SST card slot, preventing your card from being returned to you. While you try to get your card back, an accomplice, pretending to be a random passer-by, offers to help you. He or she will ask you to put in your PIN again, making note of the numbers, and watch you walk away in frustration as your card remains in the machine. The fraudster will then remove your card from the machine and make withdrawals from your account.
   

Tips to avoid ATM fraud

• Assess the ATM and its surrounding area. Make sure your ATM is in a well-lit area and that no one is loitering around the machine.
• Be ready with your ATM card. Have your ATM card ready when you approach the machine to avoid opening your wallet while queuing.
• Don't be distracted. Don't let anyone or anything distract you from your transaction, even by perfectly friendly people offering assistance or asking for the time or directions.
• Recognise a proper-looking ATM. If you know what an ATM looks like, you're better able to identify any foreign objects attached to it. Make sure the card slot hasn't been tampered with. In fact, never force your card into the ATM slot. Rather use another machine.
• Don't believe hoaxes. Keying in your PIN backwards at an ATM will not call the police. These are simply scams to get you to divulge your PIN.
• Nedbank is on call. If you suspect foul play, or your card has been retained by an ATM, call 0800 110 929 to report it, or call the Nedbank Contact Centre on 0860 555 111.