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  Geebo 8:00 am on May 5, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ATM, bank scam ( 72 ), Chase ( 14 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Bank to scam victims: You have to prove it wasn’t you 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Previously, we told you about a scam that happens at ATMs. The way we were told about is scammers put glue in the card slot of ATMs. The bank customer would then use the tap to pay feature on the ATM. The tap feature on the ATM uses the RFID chip in the card to verify the transaction. If an ATM has an RFID reader placed near it, scammers would be able to steal the card’s details and duplicate the card.

  That is definitely one version of the scam. However, there’s an even simpler version of the scam. In this version, the scammer still puts glue in the ATM’s card slot. Except, instead of using an RFID reader, the scammer hangs around the ATM acting as a good Samaritan. When a customer tries to use the ATM, the scammer will tell the customer to use the tap feature. The problem with the tap feature on some ATMs is that it doesn’t automatically sign the customer out when the transaction is finished. This allows the scammer to use the ATM while the customer is still logged in. Of course, this has resulted in many having their bank accounts emptied.

  If you’ve been a frequent reader here, you won’t be surprised to learn that one of the nation’s leading banks is allegedly refusing to assist scam victims. Chase Bank has had a number of their customers fall victim to this scam, and much like they did with the Zelle scam, Chase is reportedly putting the onus on the customers.

  When Chase looks at their records, they only see it as a customer transaction and have told scam victims that the victim must have taken the money. One customer was even told, “Well, you have to prove it wasn’t you.”

  You might assume that since ATMs have cameras, Chase could easily verify if the customer made the transaction. According to one customer, they were told that Chase cannot pull the footage unless they’re subpoenaed by law enforcement.

  But also, much like the Zelle scam, Chase refunded the scam victims once their local media got involved.

  If you go to an ATM and the card reader is not functional, consider going into the bank or trying another ATM situated elsewhere. Additionally, if you possess a credit card, it might be a wise decision to utilize that instead. This is because credit cards have a built-in safety measure that aids in preventing such fraudulent activities. Moreover, credit cards provide more consumer protection than debit cards.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on April 3, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ATM, atm skimmer ( 5 ), bank scam ( 72 ), RFID, Scams ( 1,386 )   

  A new scam at the ATM 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Previously, if someone was going to be scammed at an ATM, it was typically done through ATM skimmers. These were devices that could be placed in the card slot of an ATM, which would read the details from the magnetic strip of a debit card. ATM users still have to worry about this scam, but skimmers can often be detected by pulling on the ATM’s card slot to see if it comes out. However, there’s a new scam going around where the device used to scan your card is not so noticeable.

  In most modern debit and credit cards, there is an RFID chip. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. This allows card users to use the ‘tap to pay’ feature at many stores in ATMs. We’re going to focus on debit cards, as credit cards have some protection built-in to prevent this scam. If someone were to go to an ATM and find the card reader blocked or inoperable, they might be directed to use the tap feature on the ATM. If a user did this at a targeted ATM, an RFID reader would be able to obtain the details from the debit card. This would allow scammers to duplicate the card and empty the bank account attached to it.

  Unfortunately, these RFID devices can be well hidden and virtually unnoticeable. However, there are ways to try to protect yourself from this scam. When at the ATM, avoid using the tap feature. If the card reader has been disabled, go inside the bank or use a different ATM at another location. If you have one, think about using a credit card ATM instead. As we mentioned, credit cards have a safeguard that helps prevent this scam. Not only that, but credit cards themselves offer more consumer protection than a debit card.

  If someone were to fall victim to this scam with their debit card, the bank would not offer a refund. As we’ve seen with most bank scams, the banks view these as legitimate transactions.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on November 9, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), ATM, atm skimmer ( 5 ), phishing ( 77 ), pinhole camera, Publishers Clearing House ( 11 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), sweepstakes ( 25 ), text messaging ( 36 ), unemployment scam ( 30 )   

  Scam Round Up: New sweepstakes scam and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Today we’re our readers three more scams that are happening around the country that could be coming to your area.

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  In Raleigh, North Carolina, people are reporting being called by scammers posing as Publisher’s Clearing House telling them that they’re winners in the famous sweepstakes. PCH’s name has been used in scams for a number of years. What’s different this time is the scammers are leaving voicemail messages that say, “This is a legitimate call notifying you that you have won.” That’s the equivalent of leaving a message that says, “We’re totally not scammers, we promise.” If you were to call the number provided, you would more than likely be lured into an advance fee scam, where the scammers would get you to pay a phony tax or processing fee on your winnings. That’s illegal in the US, and why all legitimate sweepstakes say that no purchase is necessary.

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  It was brought to the attention of police in Fairfield, California, that an ATM had a small camera known as a pinhole camera attached to it. The camera was attached to what was supposed to be a rearview security mirror. The camera is used in an operation known as skimming. Skimmers are usually attached to the card reader to get the information from your debit card’s magnetic strip. However, the camera helps the scammers get your card number and PIN. Devices like this are normally attached to freestanding ATMs like the ones in convenience stores and gas stations. However, bank ATMs are not immune to these devices.

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  Recently, the state of Pennsylvania has issued a warning to its residents about text messages related to unemployment benefits. Some residents of the Keystone State have received text messages saying that their unemployment benefit debit card has been frozen. The text contains a link to supposedly verify the recipient’s identity and card status. Clicking such a link could lead to identity theft or having malware infect your device. The state has said that they never send out text messages with embedded links.

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  While these scams may not be happening in your area right now, doesn’t mean that they couldn’t. But now you have the knowledge to protect you if they do.

   
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  Geebo 11:28 am on September 21, 2016 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ATM, atm skimmer ( 5 ), debit cards ( 15 ), Periscope ( 2 ), Safety ( 45 ), security ( 46 )   

  New type of ATM skimmers appear in US 

  

  In case you’ve never heard of an ATM Skimmer it’s normally a device that a suspect will insert into the card reader of an ATM. This device will read all the information off your ATM card,including your PIN. It’s not just ATMs though, these skimmers can also be attached to gas pumps and any other stand alone machine that accepts debit cards. These type of skimmers can be usually thwarted by firmly pulling on the slot where the card is inserted, If a part slides out, it’s probably not safe to use that ATM or other machine.

  Recently, the Secret Service released an announcement to financial institutions that a new type of skimmer has shown up in the US and isn’t as easy to spot. The skimmer, called a periscope, is a piece of hardware that is installed inside the ATM. According to the announcement, the suspects access the ATM from the top in order to install the skimmer. The Krebs on Security blog post that’s been linked to recommends that you should only use ATMs that are embedded into the bank’s walls and can’t be accessed from the top.

  Unfortunately, there’s no absolute way to always protect yourself from ATM and debit card fraud. However, you can avoid problems by just using some common sense and if a ATM machine or any other card reading machine feels shady or unreliable just pass it by.