Staying Safe at the Cash Machine

If you rely on automated teller machines (ATMs), it may be hard to remember that the handy cash machines were brand new and not that available less than three decades ago. The first full-service machines hit the streets in 1971. According to a recent consumer study, the average ATM customer uses an ATM/Debit Card about 200 times annually. 

Technology offers convenience, but it doesn't replace common sense. These habits can keep you and your money safe while using an ATM: 

Never write your PIN (personal identification number) on your ATM card. 
Check out the environment as you approach an ATM. If bystanders seem to be loitering rather than conducting business, go to another machine or come back later. If someone seems to take interest in you or your transaction, report suspicious behavior to the police -- but leave the area first. 

Be prepared to conduct your transaction when you approach the ATM. Have your card ready and know what transaction or transactions you want to conduct. 

Pay attention to activity around the ATM as you leave. Secure any cash you withdraw before leaving the machine. 

When using a drive-thru ATM, keep all doors locked and all windows up, except for the driver's window. Again, scope out the environment and go to another machine if something strikes you as odd such as someone just hanging around. 

Shield the screen and keypad with your body as you use an ATM to prevent others from seeing your PIN. Crooks can spy on your activities and steal your transaction numbers, even from a distance, by using binoculars. This activity, common in airports at both cash machines and pay telephones, is called "shoulder surfing." 

If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to your bank.

Examine your statements promptly to identify unauthorized transactions. Your liability is usually just $50 if you notify them within two days, but can rise considerably if you neglect to report the misuse or loss of your card within a reasonable amount of time. 

Make smart ATM use a habit, but don't be unduly concerned about safety. You're 350 times more likely to be robbed while walking down a street as you are when making an ATM cash withdrawal, according to the Bank Administration Institute in Chicago.