It’s no secret that the use of cash is declining, while card payments continue to grow, but it is still the most widely used form of payment in our country. So, although it seems that ATMs are becoming increasingly obsolete, the truth is that they are now more necessary than ever, because they are the only way we have to obtain banknotes.
Unfortunately, these machines are targeted by cybercriminals, as they are a very lucrative target for them, since they can not only get our money, but also steal our banking information and further increase the theft. Although attacks on ATMs have evolved considerably in recent years, and criminals are now able to install viruses that allow them to withdraw money without doing anything and carry out similar hacks, they also use “old-fashioned” tricks which, although simple, are very effective.
Among them is the banknote scam, a trick that seems harmless but has a motive behind it. As the name suggests, it all starts when the criminal places a banknote in the ATM slot and waits for the victim to arrive to withdraw money. Naturally, the person will notice the note and either think that someone has forgotten it and look for the owner, or simply pick it up and put it away, but either way, they will be distracted, which is exactly what the thieves are looking for. All security experts agree that when using an ATM, we should be alert and attentive to the entire process, but the note trick works as a distraction for anyone.
While the user’s attention is focused away from their card or the keypad, criminals lie in wait and watch from a distance, often using hidden cameras. In a moment of carelessness, they can memorise the PIN code or even steal the card. Another method involves deceiving the victim with false instructions that induce them to leave the ATM, at which point the scammers take advantage of the situation to carry out the theft. Therefore, if you find yourself in this situation, you should be even more alert and, although your instinct may tell you to act, remember that your own money is at stake and that is more important.
