Entry bubble ATM Safety

By: Colleen | July 09, 2008 | Category: Money

I pretty much live in a cashless universe. It's a rare day when I have over two dollars in my wallet. ATM

I've been just fine using my credit/debit card for pretty much everything. In the rare occasion I need cash, I simply make a withdrawal (or "tap MAC" as Philly folks say) from whatever ATM is closest.

This was not something I ever thought twice about until recently when ATM safety came up in the news.

In an era of identity theft, we have to be super careful to protect all of our private information. Apparently, it's very easy for an ATM machine to retain your account information after you've swiped your card. This is particularly more common for machines found at convenience stores or bars and restaurants. Using an ATM at your bank's branch office is much safer, as they are videotaped and constantly maintained.

Another thing you must be mindful of is your PIN. It should be changed frequently (strike one for me) and a different number should be used for each account (strike two).

To protect yourself, it's important to monitor your account frequently. Keep ATM use to your bank. And always select the "credit" option over "debit" to minimize PIN usage.

Have you been a victim of ATM identity theft? Any pointers?

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