Are ATM's safe to use?
I just read an article that states that criminals are on the warpath to obtain your debit or credit card numbers and pin. Fake card computer inserts are being used to copy your numbers, especially on ATMs located outside the bank buildings and those “stand alone” ATMs inside convience stores. This article did not address punching in your pin at gas pumps, which I believe is wide open to hackers. Question: since plastic cards are not going away, what are your suggestions for protecting your debit and credit card numbers and pin, from the thieves?
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I never use ATM anymore. One, because most of them and your bank charge a fee and two, because of the security risks. If you want to take out some cash, do so when you buy groceries or gas by using debit.
They’re getting less and less safe to use – one of my friend has had his # skimmed from an ATM and he lost some money, apparently. I think this is a real shame, as I usually never carry cash on me for the purpose of ever getting “mugged” or someone going through my wallet. Now I have to be careful when and where I use my cards at…
You bring up a good point about gas stations, I don’t know how hack-proof they are. I guess we need to watch those too now.
@Disc2021 Kind of ironic, huh? You try to prevent theft one way, only to find that it’s just as easy to do it the new way. No matter what new technology comes out, criminals will find a way to break it.
I have never used an ATM, and I have never used a debit card. I use credit cards or cash.
@Disc2021 My mom told me to always have some money on me so if I am mugged the guy does not get pissed off.
My mom never wanted to me to use ATM machines. It doesn’t feel safe to me.. kind of sketchy.
Personally, I’m not too worried about it. I monitor my accounts regularly. I have had my debit card number stolen once. I noticed the fraudulent charge, called the bank, they deactivated the old card (after allowing me time to go get money out so that I’d have money while I waited for the new card), FedEx’d the new card to me (I had it within two business days), and refunded the money very quickly. They were great to work with and I was very impressed with them.
As long as I am a customer with them, I won’t stop using ATMs out of fear because I know any issue will be handled well and professionally. They also refund ATM fees, so I’m more likely to use a bank ATM than one outside of a convenience store. That being said, I usually just get cash back when I’m at the store so that I don’t have to make a separate trip to an ATM.
The risk is very low. A risk-free world doesn’t exist.
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