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From Lebanese loops to pinhole cameras, here are six signs an ATM has been tampered with by criminals.

Money slaves do exist and they come under many guises: pay pigs, human ATMs, human wallets etc. They want to lose control, but for them it can be equally as hard finding someone who really knows. Some ATMs accept cash deposits and charge nothing. If you have too much of it, that excess money will be safer in your bank account. Rather than going to any location, ask your branch for “deposit enabled” ATMs. These will accept cash, nowadays usually without envelopes. The same machines might accept bank checks.

Before you withdraw cash, it's always worth taking a few seconds to check the machine you're about to use hasn't been tampered with by criminals.

If you spot any of these six signs, avoid that ATM and seek out another one.

Pinhole cameras

Scammers have been known to hide tiny pinhole cameras in cash machines to record people's PINs.

City of London Police issued the photos below after spotting hidden cameras across central London ATMs.

This one was hidden inside a fake cash-dispensing slot cover, recording the keypad as people keyed in their details.

Photo credit: City of London Police

Police are telling people to stay sharp when they’re getting cash out: always cover your hand when you enter your PIN.

Before you even enter your details, check the cash machine for loose parts, including the card slot and keypad.

Photo credit: City of London Police

Don’t try and remove the camera yourself as the criminals in question could be hanging around near the machine and might confront you.

Fake fronts

In some cases, criminals place card or cash capture devices and PIN compromise devices in or around ATMs to get quick access to your cash.

A few sneaky scammers will even put on entire false fronts to capture unsuspecting people’s PINs and money, Fico told This is Money.

They’re often really well disguised so have a thorough check of the ATM before you start using it.

Photo credit: Fico

A wider card slot than normal

You’re right to be concerned about an unusually bulky card slot, as this could contain a ‘skimmer’.

This tool is attached to the ATM’s card slot that secretly takes your card details when you’re making a withdrawal. Apart from its width, it’s really difficult to distinguish it from a normal card slot.

Keep an eye out for misaligned or misprinted stickers - it’s often an attempt to cover up where a compromised device has been installed.

Photo credit: Fico

A loose or blocked card slot

This may be a sign of a ‘Lebanese Loop’.

Criminals will try and trap your card in the machine by placing a tiny plastic device or sleeve with a barb into the card reader so that when you try and withdraw money, your card will get stuck.

Photo credit: Fico

Atm To Atm Money Transfer

Real money bingo free money us. The ATM will keep asking for a PIN as it can’t read the card, leading you to believe that your card has been swallowed and walk away. That gives the fraudsters the perfect opportunity to swoop in and take your card.

Loose PIN pad

Be wary if the PIN pad feels loose, thick or sponge-like.

Atm Money Withdrawal

This crafty trick is known as ‘pin-pad overlay’ - the real PIN pad is covered by a fake which does record your PIN correctly just like any other machine but also captures your details for the fraudster.

In some cases, numbers are instantly transferred by WiFi to a waiting accomplice so that they can record it and use it later.

How Do Atms Know Money Is Real Money

Loitering groups of strangers

This warning is nothing new but is still vitally important: be aware of what’s going on around you. Don’t accept help from strangers and don’t allow yourself to get distracted.

Scammers often work in teams and they rely on distraction to catch their victims out.

It's a good idea not to use cash machines near a group of people who are inexplicably loitering.

If something goes wrong they may become oddly helpful and when one is trying to assist you, the others may look at your PIN or swipe your card or cash.

From Lebanese loops to pinhole cameras, here are six signs an ATM has been tampered with by criminals.

Pinhole cameras

Fake fronts

A wider card slot than normal

A loose or blocked card slot

Atm To Atm Money Transfer

Loose PIN pad

Atm Money Withdrawal

How Do Atms Know Money Is Real Money

Loitering groups of strangers

How Do Atms Know Money Is Real Gold

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