Before inserting your card, check the ATM’s card reader, keypad, and nearby housing for parts that look loose, crooked, damaged, added, or out of place. If anything raises suspicion, do not use the machine; contact the bank or ATM operator through an official channel. A clean exterior cannot prove an ATM is safe, because some skimming devices are hidden inside the card reader.
What to check before you insert your card
Take a moment to look at the ATM as a whole, then focus on the parts that handle your card and PIN. An odd-looking feature is a warning sign, not proof of a crime; do not tug, pry, or dismantle a machine to investigate it.
Card reader
- Check for a reader that is loose, crooked, scratched, damaged, or does not sit flush against the machine.
- Look for tape, glue, adhesive residue, or an attachment that appears to cover or extend the slot.
- Be cautious if the card does not enter smoothly or the reader feels unusually loose. Do not force the card.
Keypad
- Look for a keypad that appears unusually thick, differently shaped, raised, loose, or made of a different material from the surrounding panel.
- If the keypad edge looks suspicious, the FBI advises checking it. Only touch it gently if doing so is safe and will not damage the machine; do not pull hard or put yourself at risk.
Housing and nearby surfaces
- Notice seams that do not sit flush, loose wires, broken lights, or parts that look recently added or displaced.
- Look for unusual stickers, attachments, or tiny holes near the reader or keypad that could conceal a camera.
- Be alert to a slot, keypad, or other component that looks out of place compared with the rest of the machine.
These checks reflect guidance from the FDIC, FBI, and U.S. Secret Service.
How ATM skimming can capture card details and a PIN
A skimmer may sit over the card slot or be installed inside the reader to capture card data. Criminals may also use a camera to record a PIN or place a false keypad overlay over the real keys to capture keystrokes. A cover can combine a reader overlay, camera, and PIN-capture overlay.
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Devices may be removed after a short time, so an ATM that looks normal later may have been tampered with earlier. More importantly, some devices are inserted deep inside the card reader and cannot be seen from the outside. The Secret Service’s 2025 alert describes this limitation and notes that criminals can adapt their methods as ATM defenses change. A visual inspection can help you spot warning signs, but it cannot certify a machine as safe.
What to do if an ATM looks suspicious
- Do not insert your card. Leave the machine and use another ATM.
- Notify the bank or ATM operator. Use a verified contact method, such as the institution’s official app or website, or contact information shown on its official materials. Do not rely on a suspicious sticker or attachment for contact details.
- If the ATM keeps your card, contact the issuer promptly. Use the number printed on your card or the issuer’s official app or website. The FBI advises contacting the issuer if a card is not returned after a transaction or after cancellation.
- Check your account and report unauthorized activity quickly. The FTC notes that liability can depend on how soon a lost or stolen card is reported. Applicable procedures and protections can vary by issuer and jurisdiction.
Protect your PIN and choose a lower-risk ATM
Whenever you enter a PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand. This can block some camera views, including cameras positioned in unexpected places on or around the machine. It does not stop a false keypad overlay from recording keystrokes, so it is a useful precaution, not a guarantee.
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When you have a choice, prefer a well-lit indoor ATM in a location with less public access for criminals. Compare the machines’ visible condition and surroundings, and avoid one with suspicious attachments or damage. Location is only a risk-reduction factor: it does not certify the machine as safe. A clean appearance or chip-enabled card is not a guarantee against compromise either.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and geographic scope
This guidance draws on U.S. federal sources: the FDIC’s ATM skimming guidance, the FBI’s skimming guidance, the U.S. Secret Service’s 2025 alert, and the FTC’s guidance on lost or stolen cards. Card-issuer processes and consumer protections may differ outside the United States or by account and jurisdiction.
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