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Safely Using ATMs While Traveling!
Related Pages - Please Also See;
33 – In Case of Theft and Loss During Travel
34 – Ensuring Money or Cash Safety During Travel
35 – Ensuring Credit Card Safety During Travel
If You Lose All Money, Documents and Credit Cards While Traveling
Travel Safety Tips for Senior Citizens
Safety Tips for Business Travelers
If possible, try to use ATM machines during daylight hours. Be aware of your surroundings. Before using your card, be vigilant and look around for anyone who may arouse your suspicion.
Choose an ATM in a busy, well lit area. Ideally, there should be plenty of people around and enough light for everyone to see you. Don't use an ATM in a deserted location. It might be well lit, but if you are robbed or hurt, no one will be around to help you.
Use an ATM in Daylight Hours
Use an ATM in daylight hours. This will minimize the likelihood of being robbed, because chances are better that there will be plenty of people around. Also, robbers simply tend to prefer the cover of darkness to the light of day
Avoid using ATMs at night whenever possible. If you must use an ATM at night, use one that is well lit and near a busy road or business
Bring a Friend to the ATM
Bring a friend to the ATM. Robbers usually prefer to target isolated individuals, as opposed to groups of two or more. If you can bring a trusted friend (or even better, group of friends) along with you to the ATM, you’ll make a much less enticing target
Make sure you trust everyone in your ATM “herd,” though — you don’t want to get scammed by a friend-of-a-friend!
Lock All Your Doors and Roll up Your Windows at a Drive-up ATM
Lock all your doors and roll up your windows at a drive-up ATM. Only roll down your window when (and as little as) necessary. This minimizes the chance of a criminal getting into your car and robbing you
Watch for Any Suspicious Activity Around You at an ATM
Watch for any suspicious activity around you at an ATM. Keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary, and trust your instincts. If something feels off, assume a problem and go elsewhere
Tell-tale signs include people walking up to you with their heads down, people standing suspiciously close to you while you use the ATM, or people loitering nearby, watching you at the ATM.
Get Cash Inside The Bank or at Another Location
Get cash inside the bank or at another location. If it’s during business hours and the bank is open, why not just walk up to the teller and withdraw some cash instead? Or, consider getting cash back when making a debit card transaction at the grocery store or other retailer
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Conducting Your ATM Transaction Safely
Memorize Your Pin Code
Memorize your PIN code. Never write down your PIN code on a piece of paper, or your hand, or anything else. Memorize it so that when you go to an ATM, people won't try to sneak a peek at your PIN code (or even steal your card) while you're looking at the numbers
Make your PIN code something you can remember, but not something obvious like your year of birth, house number, or — worst of all — “1234.”
Don’t Flaunt Your Jewelry or Other Valuable Items
Don’t flaunt your jewelry or other valuable itemss. Keep your fancy purse or jacket at home when you visit the ATM. Stick with sweats or something else that doesn’t flaunt
Watch for Skimmers or Other Alterations to the Machine.
Watch for skimmers or other alterations to the machine. Savvy thieves can make alterations or add components to the ATM that let them collect your personal information. Or, they may be able to jam the cash dispenser, hoping you’ll head into the bank to report it while they walk off with your money.
If anything looks out-of-place or newly-added to the machine, find another ATM.
Shield the Keypad While Entering Your PIN Code.
Shield the keypad while entering your PIN. code This will protect you against people who might see your PIN code as you type it in.
Never feel embarrassed about doing this, or even politely asking someone to take a step back if they’re close enough to get a good look at your transaction. Try “I’m sorry, but would you mind taking a couple steps back while I finish my transaction? Thanks.”
Take Out Only as Much Cash as You Need!
Take out only as much cash as you need. It’s just simple math — if you get robbed of $50 instead of $150, you end up at least a bit better off. Also, if the robber can see that you’ve only taken out a small amount of cash, they may decide you’re not worth the effort or risk.
Don’t Count Your Money Near the ATM Machine
Don’t count your money near the ATM machine. Weigh the minimal chance that the ATM spit out the wrong amount of cash versus the huge enticement this activity offers to a robber. Just pocket your cash quickly and leave!
Counting at the ATM will bring unwanted attention to you and your money. Always wait until you are in your car or somewhere safer.
Take Any Receipts or Statements Issued from the ATM After Your Transaction is Finished
Take any receipts or statements issued from the ATM after your transaction is finished. Never leave them behind, even if you shove them into the little trash slot the ATM may have.
If you don't need to keep them, tear them up thoroughly and take the ripped pieces with you to throw away at home. Even a receipt that you don't want can be found by someone else and used for malicious purposes.
Don’t Give Your PIN to Anyone!
Don’t give your PIN to anyone, ever. Never accept a seemingly kind offer of help if the machine freezes up on you, especially if the person says something like “Here, let me show you a trick to fix this. I’ll just punch your PIN in for you.
Police officers and bank employees will never ask you for your PIN. If they need that kind of information, they can get it without your assistance.
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Dealing with a Physical Threat at the ATM Machine!
Trust Your Instincts About a Bad Situation
Trust your insticts about a bad situation. If anything at all seems out of the ordinary, cancel your transaction immediately. Go somewhere else to get your cash.
If you don’t obviously have cash on you, you make a much less appealing target for a robber.
Run Away if You Can Safely Do So
Run away if you can safely do so. If a robbery attempt seems imminent or you sense that you can safely get away from a robbery in progress, then run. You may even want to throw your wallet or cash on the ground as you go — remember, that’s what the bad guy wants
Comply With the Robber’s Demands
Comply with the robber’s demands. If you’re cornered, caught off guard, or the criminal has a weapon, compliance is almost always your safest option. Don’t try to be a hero — do what the robber says and give up your cash. It can be replaced; your life cannot
Defend Yourself as a Last Resort
Defend yourself as a last resort. Unfortunately, some bad guys may be intent on harming you as well as robbing you. If, and only if, you are confident that your safety is a risk regardless of whether you give up your cash, defend yourself. Don’t worry about “fighting fair” — go for sensitive areas like the eyes, throat, groin, and knees.
If you can incapacitate your attacker for just a moment, run away immediately, even if you must leave your cash behind.
Look for self-defense or martial arts classes in your area so you can be better prepared.
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While Using an ATM Machine Always Remember To;
-- Plan your transaction beforehand
-- Know how much cash you need and have your card ready
-- Have your debit card ready to go as you approach the ATM. If you need to search through your purse or wallet, you'll give criminals more of a chance to catch you off guard.
-- Choose a secure ATM Opt for ATMs in well-lit, busy areas, preferably with security cameras or guards.
-- Minimize your time at the ATM Machine
-- Prepare in advance to reduce the time you spend at the machine.
-- Don't accept help from strangers! If someone offers assistance, decline and proceed with caution.
-- Have your wallet or envelope ready. Put away cash as soon as you complete your transaction.
-- Keep your receipt. Don't discard it until you've verified your transaction.
-- Don't count cash in public. Count your money in a safe place, away from the ATM.
-- Change your PIN regularly. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your account.
-- Enable transaction notifications. Set up alerts to be notified of all your ATM transactions.
-- Treat your ATM card like cash. Keep it safe and secure, and report it lost or stolen immediately.
-- Lock your card when you are not using it: This prevents transactions from going through if your card is compromised.