ATM Cash Trap Scam Emerges
By Greg Collier
A quick stop at an ATM in Plano, Texas, recently turned into an expensive ordeal for a local resident. Police say the man fell victim to a technique known as “cash trapping,” where a device is placed over the cash dispensing slot of the machine. Customers hear their money being dispensed but never see it. Believing the ATM has malfunctioned, they leave, while the suspect later retrieves both the device and the cash.
Cash trapping is not unique to North Texas. The technique has a history in parts of Europe, where organized groups have used it for years before the practice began appearing more often in the United States. While skimming devices that capture card information tend to receive more media attention, cash trapping is often harder for customers to detect because it relies on creating the illusion of a machine malfunction rather than directly interfering with the card.
Experts note that criminals often target older ATM models, which may lack the updated security features newer machines employ. Some banks have introduced sensors and alerts that notify staff if dispensing slots are blocked, but not all machines are equipped with these upgrades. This makes certain locations more vulnerable, particularly those that are unattended or in areas with high foot traffic where customers are less likely to linger if something seems off.
The Plano case illustrates how these types of schemes can still thrive despite technological improvements in banking security. It also demonstrates that traditional fraud methods remain a problem alongside digital threats such as phishing and account takeovers. For customers, awareness remains the most important defense, since hesitation or confusion at the machine often gives suspects the opportunity they need to strike.
Investigators stress the importance of reporting ATM malfunctions immediately. If cash is not dispensed as expected, customers are urged not to walk away but to contact the bank or law enforcement at once.
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