Every day, a new way to scam people is invented, and you must know how each of them works to identify and outsmart the scammers. Protecting your money and personal information should be a priority in your life.
One of the most common methods of fraud is “skimming”and fraudsters use it to steal people’s debit or credit card numbers through a skimmer.
A “skimmer” is an electronic device used by fraudsters to capture the data recorded on the magnetic strip of a credit or debit card. There are different types of skimmers, including those used in stores that a fraudster keeps hidden and operates when the customer hands over his card to pay his bill and loses sight of it. Another type of skimmer is designed to be placed in ATMs and pretends to be the original card reader.
We want you to always be more than ready to detect fraud! Here we explain the difference between an ATM with a skimmer and one without, so you know if it is safe to use or not:
- When the “skimmer” is attached, you don’t see the slot between the reader and the ATM body. It is superimposed.
- You can see the slot between the original reader and the ATM body.
- When the reader light is turned on, the electronic parts of the “skimmer” can be seen. The light is brighter. This is not seen in the original reader.
Relax, don’t panic, just always be alert. To avoid a scare because of these fraudulent methods, you can:
- Make sure the ATM has the original reader.
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Sometimes, fraudsters set up cameras that are almost impossible to see. And remember never to share your PIN.
- Verify that the keypad does not have a keypad overlay.
- If you notice anything strange at the ATM, notify the branch staff or call customer service at 787.620.0000.
- Download the SecurLOCK™ application. It will allow you to receive alerts of your transactions, and, in addition, you can turn off your card if you notice a transaction you did not make.
If you fall victim to fraud, remember to stay calm and seek help from the appropriate authorities. Fraud cases happen daily, so you should stay informed about the security measures you can take to protect yourself. You already know!
