Automated Teller Machine (ATM) scams are very rampant nowadays, especially that the Christmas season is here. We’ve heard of these scams before, in the tube, the internet, or on the radio, yet a lot of people still fall as victims under the hands of those filthy loathsome scammers. You probably have heard a lot of complaints about ATMs unable to dispense cash yet there was a deduction on their remaining account balance and some incidents alike. Honestly, some people are just NOT VIGILANT when using the ATM and still UNAWARE about the modus operandi that’s going on with these ATMs - most probably people would just regard it as another system-error that occasionally occurs during the transaction.

I got this forwarded message from my email, warning us to be aware of such scams. Whether it is true or just a hoax (albeit it’s a good one), there’s no harm being careful right? We don’t want our hard-earned cash be put to waste for our slipshoddiness.

Forwarded by Marivic L Ramos/Bppc on 12/05/2007 08:12 AM

We may already have heard about this scam many times before, but sometimes we forget and need to be reminded, especially this coming Christmas season.

I was withdrawing last Saturday, Nov 17 10pm at a Bank of Commerce ATM near McDonald’s corner Pasong Tamo and Gil Puyat in Makati. There seemed nothing wrong with the ATM but no cash came out of the machine. I automatically thought it was just a machine error and that my account was debited because when I checked my balance, it was deducted by the amount I was supposed to withdraw.

But since I wanted to be sure and I needed cash, I waited for a few more seconds and carefully checked where the cash should come out. I noticed a light blue steel bar where the cash dispenser should be and looked underneath it. There was no outlet where the cash should come out. Suddenly remembering the ATM scams I’ve heard about, and now feeling sure that that bar shouldn’t be there, I took a photo of it then tried removing it fromthe machine. It had to take a lot of effort but when I finally got the bar off, I was surprised to see my money caught in the bar with black glue (probably put inside the bar to keep the cash from going back to the machine). See attached photo.

So please, please carefully check the ATMs you use and as much as possible withdraw only during daytime, or on guarded ATMs to avoid being scammed. Please forward this to as many people as possible to warn them.

This is IMPORTANT to look out for!

Bank ATM’s Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers

A team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate bank ATM’s in at least 2 regions to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this, do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the bank using the 800 number or phone on the front of the ATM.

The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN are cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A “skimmer” is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.

At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.

The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

The equipment as it appears installed over the normal ATM bank slot.

The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.

The camera shown installed and ready to capture PIN’s by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN
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I’m pretty sure there are still other methods of scamming other people through these ATMs. Being AWARE and extra CAREFUL are our only weapons to combat this heist.

When withdrawing via ATM:
1.) As stated above, withdraw during the daytime, preferably before the bank closes;
2.) Better withdraw on ATMs just situated outside the bank – you can immediately consult on the bank if an unknown error occurs;
3.) Avoid withdrawing on Sundays – Banks are closed;
4.) When using an ATM, be aware of anything that looks unusual, especially at the card slot and cash dispenser. If you suspect it has been tampered with, report it immediately to the bank or a local police near you.

Again, there’ll be no harm done for being careful and cautious.
BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

Just another friendly reminder from a ranting little brat. ^_^