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Before using an ATM, inspect the card slot and keypad, choose a well-lit and visible location, and cover the keypad while entering your PIN. If anything looks altered—or the machine keeps your card—stop and contact the ATM operator or your card issuer. These precautions reduce risk but cannot guarantee that a terminal is free of hidden or internal devices.
How to check an ATM before using it
ATM skimmers can capture card data, while a concealed camera or keypad overlay may capture your PIN. Some devices are difficult to spot, and some may be installed inside a terminal. A machine that looks normal is not proof that it is safe.
- Look over the card slot and its surroundings. Check the slot, bezel, nearby surfaces and keypad for loose, crooked, damaged, scratched or inconsistent parts.
- Check whether the keypad seems altered. The FBI recommends examining the machine and pulling at keypad edges. Do not use the terminal if a part seems added or does not sit securely.
- Stop if anything seems wrong. Use another ATM and report suspected tampering to the bank or ATM operator.
Inspection is a precaution, not a way to rule out every skimmer. The FBI describes warning signs and skimming methods in its skimming guidance and its 2011 ATM skimming article.
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When you have a choice, prefer a well-lit machine in a visible main area, ideally indoors, rather than one in a hidden or exposed location. The FBI says visible indoor locations are less vulnerable; it does not say they are risk-free. In its discussion of ATM skimming, the FBI quotes Supervisory Special Agent Scuzzarella: “You really should be cognizant of where you’re using one.”
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Pay attention to people nearby, too. If someone is crowding or distracting you, pause and move to a safer setting. The available guidance supports comparing visibility, lighting, placement and the machine’s apparent condition—not treating a particular brand, model or network as categorically safe. See the FBI’s 2017 discussion of stopping skimmers.
Safer habits while withdrawing cash
- Cover the keypad with your free hand as you enter your PIN. This can make it harder for a nearby person or camera to see the numbers, although it cannot defeat every concealed device.
- Keep your attention on the transaction and avoid letting anyone distract or crowd you.
- If the machine behaves unexpectedly or appears altered, stop using it and notify the operator or your bank.
What to do if an ATM keeps your card
If the ATM does not return your card after the transaction—or after you press Cancel—contact the financial institution that issued the card immediately. Use the number on the card or the issuer’s official app or website, and follow its instructions to block or replace the card. Do not rely on a phone number supplied by a stranger at the machine.
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What to do if you suspect your card or account is compromised
- Contact the issuer promptly. If your card is lost, stolen or retained, report it as soon as possible and ask how to block it or obtain a replacement.
- Review recent transactions. Check your account for withdrawals or purchases you do not recognize, and report them to your bank or credit union promptly.
- Turn on available account alerts. If your issuer offers transaction alerts, enable the ones that help you spot activity quickly.
- Verify urgent requests independently. Do not share your PIN with anyone who contacts you. If a caller or message demands urgent action, reach the issuer through the number on your card or its official app or website.
In the United States, liability protections depend on whether the card is a credit card, ATM card or debit card, and on how quickly the loss is reported. The FTC explains the distinctions in Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards. These reporting and liability details are U.S.-specific; rules elsewhere may differ.
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