How do ATM skimmers steal PIN numbers?
Jackson Reed
Updated on January 27, 2026
How is it done? Thieves place the skimmer on the ATM card swiping mechanism. The crooks trying to dupe the people, either place a camera inside the ATM or hack the bank camera to get to know the ATM pin of the card user.
Can ATMS steal PIN numbers?
It’s called skimming. ATM skimming is like identity theft for debit cards: Thieves use hidden electronics to steal the personal information stored on your card and record your PIN number to access all that hard-earned cash in your account.
How do you detect skimming devices?
How to Detect Gas Pump Skimmers
- Check the pump panel for tampering.
- Inspect the card slot and the PIN pad (compare with other pumps).
- Be on the lookout for hidden cameras.
- Avoid the PIN pad entirely.
- Choose the pump closest to the gas station.
- There’s an app for that!
Can chip cards be skimmed?
Chip credit cards can be “hacked,” in a sense. If a thief inserts a “skimming” device into a credit card terminal, they can copy data from your credit card and later make a copy of the card. However, skimmers can only copy data from your card’s magnetic stripe, not its chip, which is much more encrypted.
How do skimmers get your PIN?
As you slide your credit or debit card into a compromised machine, the card skimmer reads the magnetic strip on your card and stores the card number. Your PIN can be captured, too, if a fake keypad was placed over the real one. Later, a thief scoops up the information and either sells it or uses it himself.
Does ATM have tracking device?
ATMS, whether drive up or standalone are targeted by thieves, whether at convenience stores, pharmacies , outside events or other places. GPS tracking devices are now being placed in these ATMs and other types of property to recover high-value assets or stolen cash, apprehend criminals and deter crime.
What do I do if my card has been skimmed?
If your credit card was skimmed When your credit card is skimmed, your first call should be to your card issuer. Check your account and make a list of all the fraudulent charges. “Then you can report all the charges at once,” Velasquez says.
How are criminals able to steal your pin?
Criminals typically use social engineering – like telling a victim they are from a bank – to convince victims to swipe their cards through a skimming device. An accomplice who is loitering around the ATM then “shoulder surfs” to steal the victim’s PIN.
How are skimming devices used to steal pin?
An accomplice who is loitering around the ATM then “shoulder surfs” to steal the victim’s PIN. The stolen card information is used to manufacture a counterfeit card, which, when matched with the PIN, is used to make fraudulent transactions. The images below show some examples of handheld skimming devices which you should watch out for.
How is a pin stolen from a credit card?
The PIN is either stolen by peaking when the victim enters it, or by using thermal technology. Advice from First Calgary Financial is simple: if you cannot insert your chip card with your thumb pointed at the device and have your thumb remain fully on your card, do not enter your PIN.
Where can I find fake ATM keypads?
The first two are widely used in South Africa, but according to Sabric they have only recorded one incident where a fake keypad was recovered off an ATM. However, just like with card skimming devices, anyone withdrawing money from an ATM should be on the lookout for shoulder surfers, small cameras, and fake keypads.
