Safety at the ATM

Distraction fraud happens when criminals approach you at an ATM (or just after you've used one) and create a diversion to steal your card or cash while your attention is elsewhere.

Common tactics include:

• The dropped money trick: One criminal places notes on the ground beside you and draws your attention to them, while another removes your card from the machine and replaces it with a different card, often from the same bank.
• The directions distraction: Someone approaches with a map and asks for directions very forcefully while you're withdrawing cash, giving an accomplice the opportunity to take your money from the machine.

These tactics can have many variations and can happen at any ATM or payment terminal.

ATM skimming

Skimming is when criminals fit a concealed card reader and a small camera to an ATM to steal your card details and PIN without your knowledge.

The card reader copies the data from the magnetic stripe on the back of your card. The hidden camera, positioned above or to the side of the keypad, captures your PIN as you enter it. Together, this information is used to clone your card and withdraw funds from your account, often at ATMs abroad where chip technology is less prevalent.

Skimming devices are designed to look like part of the machine. Before using an ATM, take a moment to check:

• The card slot: Does anything look loose, added on, or different from usual?
• The keypad area: Is there anything that looks out of place or feels soft when pressed?
• The area above the keypad: Is there anything that could conceal a camera?

If anything looks suspicious, do not use the machine. Cancel any transaction in progress and move away.

The single most effective thing you can do against skimming is cover your PIN. Even if a criminal successfully skims your card data, they cannot use it without your PIN. Shielding the keypad with your free hand every single time (at ATMs and at payment terminals in shops) removes the most critical piece of information a skimmer needs.

How to protect yourself at an ATM

• Cover your PIN every time. Use your free hand or wallet to shield the keypad, even if nobody appears to be nearby.
• Complete your transaction fully before engaging with anyone around you.
• Never leave the ATM mid-transaction for any reason.
• Always check that the card returned to you is your own before leaving.
• Be alert to individuals or groups loitering near ATMs. Trust your instincts and use a different machine if something feels off.

If anything unusual happens at an ATM, move to a safe distance and call our Fraud Department on +353 (1) 669 5851. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The videos below show criminals fitting a camera to an ATM. While this camera is fitted above the ATM there have been incidents where the camera is fitted to the side of the ATM in order to capture the PIN.

Customer not taking any action to block the view of PIN

When a cardholders information is gleaned via ATM skimming the fraudster requires the PIN to allow them to use the cloned card. In this video you can see how easy it is for a fraudster to obtain your PIN. Once the fraudster has cloned your card and obtained the Pin they can freely withdraw funds from your account/card.

Customer not taking any action to block the view of PIN

When a cardholders information is gleaned via ATM skimming the fraudster requires the PIN to allow them to use the cloned card. In this video you can see how easy it is for a fraudster to obtain your PIN. Once the fraudster has cloned your card and obtained the Pin they can freely withdraw funds from your account/card.

Customer blocking view of PIN

When a cardholders information is gleaned via ATM skimming the fraudster requires the PIN to allow them to use the cloned card. In this video it can be seen how easy it is to prevent the fraudster from obtaining the PIN by simply covering your hand. This method should also be used when using a point of sale machine in a shop.