Never pick up money from the floor at an ATM while you’re in the middle of a transaction.
Withdrawing money from an ATM can be stressful, especially if it’s in a certain place or during the night. If someone acts kindly, like telling you that you dropped money, it might make you feel safer and more hopeful.
However, be careful: they might be trying to trick you into a scam that’s currently happening at ATMs in New York City.
How does the ATM scam work?
The scam begins when someone is using an ATM to take out money.
After they enter their pin, a scammer taps them on the shoulder and points to some cash on the ground, claiming they dropped it. When the person bends to pick up the money, the scammer quickly swaps their ATM card with a fake one.
The New York Daily News reports that this scam usually involves two to four people. Another scammer might have already seen the person’s pin code before the distraction.
With the card and the pin, they can withdraw all the money from the account at other ATMs. If it’s a credit card, the scammers don’t even need the pin to start spending the money, but you can usually get this money back from the bank.
This scam first appeared on the Upper East Side of New York City, as NBC 4 New York notes. It has spread across all the city’s boroughs and might even reach other parts of the country or go international.
How to avoid being a victim of this ATM scam
Be careful when using an ATM. Remember, if you didn’t see any cash on the floor when you got there, haven’t taken any cash out yet, or didn’t bring any with you, then any cash on the floor isn’t yours.
If someone says it is, just tell them it’s not yours and continue with what you were doing. If you’re not sure, make sure to take your card out first, then check the cash once you’re finished with your ATM transaction.
If you do drop something like cash or keys, just step on it to keep it safe while you finish at the ATM. Always keep your eyes on the ATM and your card until you are done.
If you see someone acting strangely or if there’s a group around the ATM making you uncomfortable, it’s best to just leave.
What to do if you’re a victim
Never try to fight a thief or get your card back by force. They might have a weapon, and it’s too dangerous.
Instead, call your bank first and tell them what happened. They can stop your card and send you a new one. After that, call the police.