Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to cheat people. Be on your guard to avoid being tricked when you are at the ATM.
How are fraudsters tricking people?
Step 1: Imagine you’re visiting the ATM
Step 2: As usual, you insert the ATM card into the machine, type in the PIN & amount and wait for the cash to be dispensed
Step 3: During this time, an unknown person may be standing close by and watching you
Step 4: Then the unknown person might interrupt and divert your attention in one of two ways while you’re is still waiting for the cash to be dispensed by the ATM machine:
- The unknown person throws a fake Kotak Bank card and tells you that your card has fallen down. While you go to pick up this fake card, the unknown person removes your actual card from the ATM machine! You’re likely to put away the fake card without realising the clever swap made by the unknown person, take your cash from the ATM and leave. The fraudster, who has already seen your PIN being inserted earlier now uses your real ATM card to withdraw cash.
- Sometimes it so happens, that you may seek the help of an unknown person standing nearby to figure out the ATM. While this unknown person helps you withdraw money, they will make a note of the PIN and may swap the original Kotak card with a fake card that looks like the original. Once you leave, the unknown person then uses your card to withdraw funds.
- There is one more way this fraud could take place - Fraudsters tamper with ATM machines by affixing glue stick at the card reader. This causes your card to get stuck in the ATM and you will tend to take help from the fraudster itself who will be lurking around the ATM. They will offer to help you, by asking you to enter your PIN, claiming it will fix the issue. When the PIN doesn't work, they convince the victim to report the problem to their bank. Once you leave, the fraudster retrieves the card from the machine and withdraws money.
What you can do:
- Always ask any unknown people to step far away whenever you are using the ATM
- Avoid using ATMs which are unguarded or do not have proper surveillance with video cameras
- Cover the ATM keyboard with your free hand so that no one else can see the PIN you are punching in
- Never take your eyes off your card when at the ATM
- Do not take help from strangers
- Always check your card thoroughly in case of any mishap where it falls down or there are unknown people around you
- Never leave your card unattended in the ATM & never share your PIN
- Press random keys before leaving the ATM machine to generate non-meaningful heat signatures
To report a cybercrime to the police, dial the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal on 1930 or lodge a complaint through their website www.cybercrime.gov.in
To report a fraud or any suspicious activity to Kotak Bank, click here.
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