Warwickshire Police

Cash Machine Crime Prevention Advice

Avoid becoming the victim of Cash Machine crime. Some of this advice can be applied to using cards at check outs too.

Choosing a Cash Machine:

Be aware of others around you. If someone near the cash machine is behaving in a suspicious manner or makes you feel uncomfortable, choose another.

Make sure you check the machine before you use it for any signs of tampering. Examine the machine for stick on boxes, stick on card entry slots etc. If you find it difficult to get your card into the slot, do not use it, go to another machine.

If there is anything unusual about the cash machine report it to the bank and police or the owner of the premises immediately. Under no circumstances should members of the public attempt to remove a device as it’s possible the offender may be nearby.

Using a Cash Machine:

Give other users space to enter their personal identity number (PIN) in private.

Be aware of your surroundings. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction and go to another machine. Remember to take your card with you.

Do not accept help from "well meaning" strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.

Stand close to the cash machine and always shield the keypad to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN.

Leaving a Cash Machine:

Once you have completed a transaction, discreetly put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine.

If you lose your card in a cash machine, cancel the card immediately with the card issuer’s 24-hour emergency line, which can be found on your last bank statement or on the Card Watch website www.cardwatch.org.uk . Do not assume that your bank automatically knows that the machine has withheld your card. Again, beware of help offered by "well meaning strangers".

Dispose of your cash machine receipt, mini-statement or balance enquiry slip with care. Tear up or preferably shred these items before discarding them.

Card fraud also happens in the home:

Cardholders should also be warned of the risks of verifying bank details at home in unsolicited telephone conversations. Always call the person back using the advertised customer telephone number, not the telephone number they may give you.

Do not click on hyperlinks sent to you by email asking you to confirm your bank details online. Hyperlinks are links to web pages that have been sent to you by email and may open a dummy website designed to steal your personal details. Phone your bank instead on their main customer number or access your account using the bank's main website address.

Use good anti virus and firewall protection.

NEVER write down your pin:

People make life very easy for pickpockets if they write down their PIN and keep it in their purse or wallet. Do not write down your PIN. If you have been given a number that you find difficult to remember, take your card along to a cash machine and change the number to one that you will be able to remember without writing it down.

Do not choose a number that's easy to guess. E.G. 1234