Before inserting your card, inspect the reader, keypad and nearby ATM housing for parts that look loose, crooked, damaged or out of place. If you notice anything suspicious, do not use the machine; report it to the bank or ATM operator through an official channel. A clean appearance is not proof of safety: some skimmers are hidden inside the reader and cannot be seen from outside.
What to check before inserting your card
Compare the machine’s parts with the way they normally look and fit. Warning signs are reasons to choose another ATM, not proof that a crime has occurred.
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Card reader
- Check for a reader that is loose, crooked, scratched, damaged or different in shape from the surrounding housing.
- Look for tape, glue or adhesive residue, and avoid the machine if your card does not enter smoothly.
- Some skimmers sit over the slot; others are installed inside the reader, where an exterior inspection may not reveal them.
Keypad
- Look for a keypad that seems unusually thick, raised, differently shaped or made from a different material than the rest of the machine.
- Where it is safe and appropriate, gently check the keypad edges for a loose overlay, as FBI guidance recommends. Do not force or remove parts if doing so could damage the ATM or put you at risk.
Housing and nearby surfaces
- Notice seams that do not sit flush, loose wires, broken lights, raised or loose PIN pads, or parts that appear out of place.
- Look for unusual stickers, attachments or tiny holes that could conceal a camera.
These indicators are not conclusive: ordinary damage can look suspicious, and criminals can adapt their equipment. The U.S. Secret Service warned in a 2025 alert that devices may be inserted deep inside a card reader and can be impossible to detect from the ATM exterior: Secret Service ATM-skimming alert.
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How ATM skimming can capture card data and a PIN
A skimmer copies card data as the card is read. To capture the PIN as well, criminals may use a small camera or a false keypad overlay that records keystrokes. Some fake covers combine a reader overlay with a camera and PIN-capture overlay. Criminals may remove their equipment after a short time, so a machine that looks normal later may have been tampered with earlier. See the FBI’s ATM skimming guidance and the FDIC’s advice on ATM skimming.
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What to do if an ATM looks suspicious
- Do not insert your card. Use another machine and notify the bank or ATM operator through a verified official channel, such as its official website or app. Do not rely on contact details on a suspicious sticker.
- Shield your PIN. Cover the keypad with your other hand whenever you enter your PIN. This can block some camera views, but it cannot prevent a keypad overlay from recording your keystrokes.
- Contact your card issuer promptly if the ATM keeps your card. Use the official app or website, or the number printed on your card. The FBI advises contacting the issuer if a card is not returned after a transaction or after cancellation.
- Watch your account and report unauthorized transactions quickly. The FTC explains that liability can depend on how soon a lost or stolen card is reported; check its guidance on lost or stolen credit, ATM and debit cards. Rules and procedures may vary by issuer and jurisdiction.
Choosing between available ATMs
If you have a choice, avoid a machine with suspicious attachments or damage and prefer one in a well-lit indoor location with less public access for criminals. That is a practical risk-reduction measure, not a guarantee that the ATM is safe. A tidy exterior, indoor placement or use of a chip card does not rule out compromise.
As the FDIC’s Amber Holmes advises, “Before inserting your card, look at the card reader for signs it has been altered.” If you spot a potential problem, FDIC official Michael Benardo says to “notify your bank as quickly as possible.”
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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