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The ATM machine at your bank is a modern convenience we have all become accustomed to. Without thinking, you can get instant cash almost anywhere at any time of day. However, this nonchalance can have devastating consequences.
ATM Banking Risks
ATM machine bank transactions can be dangerous if you're not taking the proper precautions. These dangers include:
- Stolen card information - People around you can see you type your PIN. If they see your card as well, they will have all the information they need to make debit card transactions. Also, some criminals are tech-savvy enough to modify an existing ATM or create their own fake ATM machine bank to send this information to them remotely.
- Mugging - Withdraw large amounts of money and someone who's casing the ATM machine bank may decide to mug you.
Keeping Yourself Safe
A little awareness is all you need to keep both your money and yourself safe. Follow these tips:
- Hide your transaction - Have your card ready before you step up to the ATM machine and use one hand to cover the other as you type in your PIN.
- Avoid dangerous situations - If you see a suspicious person loitering around the area, do not use that ATM machine.
- Study the ATM machine bank - Do not use ATMs that seem tampered with in anyway, such as with fake stickers or hand-written "modified instructions."
