ATM scams cropping up.

[moneysense]

Its called ATM Skimming and this is when the crook gets access to the pin number on your ATM card from the magnetic strip and then proceeds to clean you out with the newly gleaned info they have gotten.

It is said that this will become the one of the top forms of frauds this year.

Here are some tips on how to prevent this from happening to you.

First look at the ATM Machine to see if there is anything protruding from the machine in the area where you scan your card. If so, notify someone and dont use that machine.

Wireless cameras are another thing that these thieves use to get your info. They can be in something as mundane as a brochure holder that is afixed to the front of the machine.

Be ware of any extra mirrors around the machine, they could let a would be thief see the pin number you are entering.

A good idea is to cover the keys with one hand while typing in your pin number with the other. This is very useful in protecting that pin number from prying eyes.

And be careful with this one:

Withdrawing from ATMs at convenience stores and other unregulated places also poses more risk, he said, because the owners and others have access to pin codes and can sell them or take out the cash themselves

I had no idea that this could happen at those machines.

So take all the precautions that you can when using an ATM machine. Thieves have just recently gotten away with $120,000 in three states. Dont let your card be the next one on their list.