The Lebanese Loop-
This is a classic ATM scam. Basically, a thief creates a plastic sleeve or strap (a loop) that catches the card when it's put in the ATM machine. The machine will display "Temporarily Out of Order" or "Unable Read Card" or some equivalent (because the ATM can't read the card through the plastic sleeve). The card will not be returned to you but will remain in the sleeve.
At some point, a scam artist may walk up to you and say something like: "a similar thing happened to me last week"...then they'll tell you to put your PIN code in and press cancel twice (while they learn your pin code). Of course, this advice won't work.
Another method is using the Lebanese Loop with a camera so they don't have to interact with you. Read "cameras and fake card slots" below for the most common placement of cameras.
Commonly, victims walk away from the machine thinking they'll have to retrieve their card from the bank the next day. In reality, the scam artist pulls the Lebanese Loop and card out of the machine when the victim leaves, and the spending starts...
What you can do:
- Don't ever let someone stand near you and read your PIN number. Ever. Even without a loop or some scam once they know your PIN, they could just punch you in the gut and take your card. You know? (But I'm sure you're made of bricks and would never succumb).
- If the ATM reads "Temporarily Out of Order" or something like that, make sure you get your card back. If you don't get it back, look for a plastic sleeve and see if you can't pull it out yourself. If anything fishy is going on, just call the police, the scam artists will surely run (unless you're on some deserted street corner after hours in the Bronx, then you should consider doing the running).
Cameras and fake card slots-
A false card slot, with a magnetic strip reader (skimmer) will be placed over the ATM card slot. We're talking about a very small device here, about one inch in width that is very natural looking. The reader stores your card information. What information is on your card?
Additionally the scammers will place a pamphlet holder with a hidden camera affixed to it next to the keypad so it can view your PIN code. The camera can either store the images or relay them to a receiver within 200 or so yards.
What you can do:
- This is a hard scam to stop, and it's hard to know how many ATMs have them. Typically these scams are discovered by chance, like a repair man replacing light bulbs or an employee replacing pamphlets who stumbles upon the scam. Generally speaking, the easiest way for an ATM user to sniff this out would be to notice any pamphlet holders or anything attachable (signs, advertisements) that seem really out of place.
- Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN. A camera is not going to be able to read your PIN through your hand.
Artificial card slot, electrical tape, and cash trapping-
This is a scam where the thief puts an artificial card slot over the real card slot. When the victim puts their card in the artificial slot, it drops in and meets sticky tape.
The card simply doesn't come out. Also, the ATM screen does not indicate that a card has entered. Once the frustrated victim walks away, the scammers open the artificial slot and retrieve the card.
This is an after hours scam (or a streetfront independent ATM scam), as during work hours the victim can report it to an open bank.
Cash trapping is very similar again with an artificial device placed over the cash dispenser. In this case, cash will not reach the victim's hand but will fall into and collect in the device.
Trapping can also be done with a plastic sleeve inside the ATM cash dispenser that collects the money before it exits into the customer's hand (it's kind of like the opposite of a Lebanese Loop... trapping what comes out as opposed to what goes in).
ATM and credit cards- Another reason to shred your old cards
This is another low cost scam where the magnetic strip is simply removed from ATM or credit cards found in the trash, attached it to another card, and used at ATMs or for credit transactions.
Artificial ATM pads-
Artificial PIN pads may be placed over the real ATM pad. This artificial pad can be set to either record or relay your PIN code to someone nearby. Once they have your PIN, they can just rob you for your PIN and have instant access to your daily withdrawal amount.
Shoulder surfing-
Shoulder surfing is ATM scamming in its most basic and intrusive form. It seems easy enough; scammers can lift your pin by looking over your shoulder. Also, don't forget about the cell phone video cameras of the people next to you; it creates a new twist on an old scam.
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