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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To reduce the risk of ATM skimming or cash trapping, inspect the reader and keypad before using the machine, shield your PIN, choose a well-lit indoor ATM when practical, and turn on transaction alerts. If an ATM retains your card or fails to present cash, contact your bank or the ATM operator promptly using a trusted number. Do not use or dismantle a machine that appears altered.
How ATM skimming and cash trapping differ
These are distinct attacks, and knowing the difference helps you respond to a suspicious machine.
Skimming captures card data
A skimmer attached to or inserted into a card reader can capture magnetic-stripe data. A hidden camera or a keypad overlay may capture your PIN as well. The FBI notes that devices can be installed inside a terminal, so a visual check cannot detect every threat. FBI guidance on skimming
Shimming targets the chip reader
The American Bankers Association (ABA) describes a shim as a thin device inserted into a chip reader to intercept or manipulate data between an EMV chip and the ATM interface. It is a different technique from magnetic-stripe skimming. ABA definitions of ATM attacks
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Cash trapping blocks your bills
A cash trap fitted at the dispenser can block the shutter or catch the bills. The ATM may appear not to have dispensed cash, while a criminal retrieves the trapped money after you leave. If the machine does not present your cash, report the transaction rather than assuming it is a routine glitch. ABA definitions of ATM attacks
How to check an ATM before using it
Examine the machine and the immediate area before inserting your card. Look for loose, crooked, scratched, damaged, or extra parts around the reader, keypad, and dispenser. Seams that do not sit flush, loose wires, or an unusually thick keypad can be warning signs, but no single clue proves that a machine has been tampered with. The FDIC recommends checking the reader for signs of alteration before inserting a card; its consumer article was last updated August 15, 2023. FDIC consumer guidance
- Do not use the machine if a reader, keypad, or nearby attachment looks out of place.
- The FBI advises pulling at the keypad edges before entering your PIN. If it feels loose or unusual, stop.
- Check the area for a suspicious camera or other added equipment, but remember that cameras can be concealed and devices may be inside the terminal.
If anything seems wrong, walk away and tell the bank or ATM operator. Do not try to remove a suspected device.
Habits that lower your risk
Shield your PIN
Cover the keypad with your free hand while entering your PIN. This can obstruct a hidden camera or someone nearby trying to watch, but it cannot stop a false keypad overlay from recording keystrokes. Be alert to people standing close or offering unsolicited help. FBI guidance on skimming and Police Service of Northern Ireland guidance
Choose the ATM thoughtfully
When practical, use a well-lit indoor ATM rather than an isolated or exposed machine. The FBI says indoor ATMs are less vulnerable targets, not risk-free. Lighting and visibility are useful risk-reduction cues, not guarantees that a machine is safe. FBI guidance on skimming
Keep control of the card and transaction
Keep your card in view, avoid distractions, and put it away as soon as the transaction ends. A chip-enabled card is harder to compromise than a magnetic-stripe card, according to the FBI, but magnetic-stripe data on a chip card can still be vulnerable. FBI guidance on skimming
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Monitor your account
Review transactions regularly and enable alerts offered by your bank. Use available account controls, such as authentication or a temporary card freeze, if you suspect exposure. Alert settings and controls vary by issuer. FDIC consumer guidance
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if an ATM keeps your card or cash
If the machine retains your card
- End or cancel the transaction if you can do so safely. If the card is not returned, leave the machine and contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or the bank’s official app or website.
- Do not accept help from strangers nearby or share your PIN or account details.
- Ask the issuer about securing the account and replacing the card. The FBI says a card that is not returned after you end or cancel a transaction may indicate a foreign device. FBI guidance on skimming
If the ATM does not present your cash
- Note the ATM’s location, the time, and the transaction details, including the amount requested.
- Contact your bank or the ATM operator promptly and report that cash was not presented. A cash trap can obstruct the dispenser, so do not leave without reporting the failed dispense.
- Check your account for the transaction and follow the issuer’s process for investigating or disputing it.
Keep any receipt or confirmation available. The ABA describes cash traps as devices that block or catch bills for retrieval after the customer leaves. ABA definitions of ATM attacks
If you spot a suspected device or unauthorized transaction
Do not touch or remove a suspected attachment. Report a physical device to the bank or ATM operator and local police; procedures differ by location. If you suspect your card data has been exposed, contact the issuer immediately, review pending and posted transactions, and ask about card replacement, account controls, and dispute steps. The FBI directs consumers to report skimming to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and Police Service of Northern Ireland guidance
What a quick ATM check can—and cannot—tell you
Loose or altered-looking parts are reasons to avoid a machine, but an ATM can look normal even when a device is hidden inside it. Shielding your PIN helps against cameras and people watching, but not a fake keypad. Safer location choices, careful habits, and account alerts reduce risk; none guarantees that an ATM is free of tampering.
For general advice, see the FBI, FDIC, and ABA guidance. Your bank’s procedures and applicable consumer protections depend on your account, card, and jurisdiction; follow your issuer’s official instructions when reporting a problem.
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