We’ve heard increasing reports of illegally installed “skimmer” equipment on legitimate bank ATM's that steal both the ATM card number and the PIN.   The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment.  

A "skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and a camera is placed nearby to capture the PIN. Some tell-tale signs to look for, and how to protect yourself:

• A skimmer may be placed over or in the card reader. Give it a tug to see if it comes off
• Be secretive when entering your pin number. Cover the keys with one hand in case someone is looking over your shoulder, or there is a hidden camera nearby.
• The ATM looks different from the other ATMs around it
• Brochure boxes can have hidden cameras on them
• If you see wires poking out, a scanner that does not seem secure, multiple scanning devices, or a sticker that says scan here first, do not use the machine.
• Do not use a machine if someone offers to help you with it. Often the criminals who install skimmers stay nearby and “assist” users with their transaction. They may pose as another customer, or a technician working on the machine.

Remember, always check an ATM machine out carefully, and if anything seems amiss, use another machine and notify the bank branch of what you observed.  
 
(submitted by Patti Ann Johnston)

With recent media coverage warning against prepaid cards’ “hidden fees,”  I am compelled to set the record straight.  First, the coverage is referring to “general purpose cards”, which are not the same as the network branded prepaid cards sold by Springbok Services and used by corporations for incentives, rebates, rewards and payment disbursements.   Second, as pointed out in consumer tips released by Kirsten Trusko, NBPCA President and Executive Director. "When consumers take a few minutes to read the welcome kit that comes with the card they can virtually eliminate all surcharges and can immediately take advantage of the numerous benefits that come with these cards including immediate availability of funds, fraud and loss prevention and cost-savings."   Last, when companies use prepaid cards as a replacement for paper checks, they can save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, which is a compelling benefit for almost any company or program. 

(submitted by Jan Truskolaski)