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Tips to avoid ATM con artists
Bank consumers should be alert when conducting transactions at ATM booths, as scam syndicates have various ways of trapping them, police and bank officers said
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Bank consumers should be alert when conducting transactions at ATM booths, as scam syndicates have various ways of trapping them, police and bank officers said.
"Pay attention to suspicious things around you when you enter a booth. Be suspicious of people acting fishy. Do not trust them if they offer to help," said head of public relations at Bank Mandiri, Iskandar Tumbuan.
"Consumers should not let anyone know their PIN, even those who say they are a bank officer," he said.
He said it was better to use ATMs located in banks rather than those at separate places, although the fraud could happen anywhere. "Our officer once caught a scam artist at an ATM located in the Pulo Gadung office branch," he said. "Even so, ATM booths around the bank are safer than those in public areas."
Customers should not be lured by news of winning a lucky draw if they are asked to transfer money, said head of the fiscal, monetary and budget reserve at the city police Adj. Sr. Comr. Bahagia Dachi.
The victims are usually informed by phone or short message.
"Do not believe it if you were asked to transfer money to win a prize. We have found numerous cases of scam artists using a similar trick." he said.- JP
Ten Tips
1. Do not hand over your ATM card
2. Do not give your PIN to anyone
3. Make sure no on sees you enter your PIN
4. Do not let unfamiliar people inside the ATM booth while you conduct your transactions
5. Make sure you do not leave your card in the ATM when you exit the booth
6. Choose booths that are well safeguarded and located in a crowded area. It is better to choose booths located in the bank's offices.
7. Do not trust advice from unfamiliar people when you are in trouble. Ask security officers for help or call the bank's official hotline service or contact the bank's nearest branch
8. Note down or remember the number of the official call center
9. When your transactions fail, quit and move to another booth before you get in a more serious trouble
10. Do not believe information telling you that you have won a prize and all you need to do to collect is transfer money through an ATM
