01/16/2026
Beware of Scam Devices!!
Scam devices can be found on ATM/ITMs, Point of Sale (POS) terminals, gasoline pumps – everywhere people use a card to pay. These devices capture personal data and PINs via video, digital download, or wireless transmission to the scammer.
Examples of these devices:
* Pinhole cameras can be installed anywhere on or near the machine in order to record PIN entries and are so small they’re hard to detect. Note that pinhole cameras may be placed anywhere on or near the machine.
* Skimmers can be installed in the terminal or over its reader to steal credit/debit card data from the magnetic stripe or chip.
* Keylogging keypads are overlays that cover the real keyboard, used to record a customer’s keystrokes.
Tips for Protecting Your Payment Card at the ATM or POS terminals:
* Inspect ATMs, POS terminals, and other card readers for loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched parts. If you notice something suspicious, use a different terminal.
* Check for keylogging overlays by lifting the edge of the keypad – a gentle tug is all it takes.
* Prevent cameras from recording your PIN by shielding your entry with your hand. Keep in mind that a pinhole camera may be present anywhere on or around the terminal.
* If possible, use well-lit machines in high-traffic locations. Machines are less vulnerable in places where someone might notice a threat actor tampering with them.
* Tap the card instead of swiping or inserting if the machine allows you to do so.
Tips for Protecting your Payment Card at the Gas Pump:
* Choose the fuel pump closest to the store and in direct view of the attendant. These pumps are less likely to be targets for skimmers.
* Run your debit card as a credit card. If that’s not an option, cover the keypad when you enter your PIN. You should also examine the keypad before use for any inconsistencies in coloring, material, or shape. These inconsistencies might suggest that a foreign device (keypad overlay) is present.
*Consider paying inside with the attendant, not outside at the pump.
*Tap the card instead of swiping or inserting it when paying at the pump (if the card and terminal allow for it). Tap-to-pay transactions are more secure and less susceptible to compromise.
Be aware, stay diligent and keep your information safe!
