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Before using an ATM, compare the card reader and keypad with the rest of the machine. If either looks loose, crooked, damaged, unusually thick, or out of place—or you notice suspicious seams, residue, wires, holes, or attachments—do not use it. Walk away and report your concern to the bank or machine owner and local police. A visual check can reveal some warning signs, but it cannot prove that a machine is safe.
What ATM tampering can look like
Card skimming typically involves a device that captures information from a payment card. It may be fitted over the card reader, while a hidden camera or a false keypad may capture the PIN. The parts can be designed to blend in, so inspect the machine without treating any single clue as proof of a crime.
Card reader and slot
Compare the reader with the surrounding faceplate. Watch for an added overlay, a reader that sits unevenly, or parts that feel or look loose, crooked, damaged, or mismatched. Scratches, glue, adhesive tape, or other residue can also be reasons to avoid the machine. If your card does not enter easily, do not force it. These are caution signs, not confirmation that a skimmer is present. The FDIC quotes financial crimes information specialist Amber Holmes advising customers to be suspicious if a card does not go in easily or the reader appears loose, crooked, or damaged: FDIC guidance on skimming schemes.
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Check whether the keypad appears unusually thick or has a surface that does not fit the machine’s design. A false keypad can be used to record key presses, so covering your hand while entering your PIN helps against a camera but does not stop a keypad overlay from capturing the PIN. If the keypad seems raised, loose, or inconsistent with the rest of the ATM, choose another machine.
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Faceplate, fittings, and nearby objects
Look for seams that do not sit flush, loose wires, raised or poorly fitted parts, or stickers and attachments in unusual places. Tiny holes near the reader or keypad may warrant caution, as might an object positioned to view the keys. Cameras can also be concealed in surrounding fixtures; you cannot reliably find every camera by looking around. The FDIC notes that a brochure holder can conceal a mini-camera if positioned to record PIN entry.
Location and people nearby
Notice whether anyone is standing unusually close or appears to be watching your transaction. When practical, choose a more visible ATM or one inside a bank. A secluded location or a nearby person is a contextual reason to be cautious, not evidence by itself that the machine has been tampered with.
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What to do if something seems wrong
- Stop before inserting your card. If you notice suspicious parts or the machine does not look or feel right, do not start the transaction or continue using it.
- Use another option. Choose a different ATM or go inside a bank if practical.
- Report the machine. Notify the bank or machine owner and local police. Avoid touching or trying to remove a suspected device.
- Contact the issuer if your card is retained. Call the bank or card issuer promptly using a trusted contact method.
- Review account activity. Check transactions after using an ATM and report unauthorized activity to your bank or card issuer. Small unauthorized transactions are worth reporting, too.
Reduce the chance of PIN exposure
- Cover the keypad with your free hand while entering your PIN, even if you see no camera.
- Keep your transaction private and be alert to people close enough to observe your entry.
- Use account alerts or check your transactions regularly so you can act quickly if activity looks unfamiliar.
Why a clean-looking ATM is not a safety guarantee
Inspection is a way to notice some suspicious signs and make a safer choice, not a security test. The U.S. Secret Service’s February 2025 alert says devices inserted deep inside card-reader slots may be impossible to detect from outside: Secret Service alert on ATM and POS terminal skimming. A tidy exterior therefore cannot certify that a machine is safe. The FBI and FDIC also recommend watching for tampering and protecting PIN entry: FBI overview of ATM skimming and FDIC consumer guidance.
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