Skimmers found at Chase and WaMu ATMs

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April 9th, 2009 - Posted by Caitlin

A skimmer is a device that can be inserted over the card slot on an ATM. When you insert your debit or credit card, the device reads and stores the data embedded on the magnetic strip, including your name, card number and expiration date, as well as your card's encrypted verification code. An identity thief will plant skimmers on ATMs and return later to collect them. Then, he or she can use the collected data to create perfect clones of the cards, or simply use the account numbers to make purchases over the Internet. Sometimes, thieves who plant skimmers also include a camera, angled to record your pin code.

The Consumerist reports that three different ATM skimmers were discovered by bank patrons this past week, on Chase and WaMu ATMs. The Consumerist offers a few tips to ensure that you are not handing your sensitive data over to an identity thief the next time you withdraw cash. Look for these signs that identity thieves have tampered with an ATM that you are about to use:

• Slots that don't fit (and can be removed!)
• Multiple mirrors – one could be hiding a camera that records your PIN
• Strange ATM error messages
• The ATM looks different from the other ATMs around it
• Dummy brochure boxes with hidden cameras on them

To see images of the skimmers that were recently found, click through to the Consumerist post. And to learn about identity theft protection services, will help prevent and detect these types of scams, see our reviews and comparison chart.