Don't Become Victim Of ATM Scams
Police authorities are asking people to be extra careful when using an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) so as not to fall prey to the growing trend of robberies, methods that confuse the ATM user to hand over the card and information contained on the magnetic strip, to make unauthorized withdrawls.

So far no weapons or violence has been used in the reported attacks.

Police sources say that a group of Colombians and Venezuelans who temporarily disable the normal function of targeted ATM, so that typically a woman will come to the assistance of the victim. The victim is fooled into trusting the person who has been so gracious to offer help.

In fact, the person is actually, without the victim's knowledge, swiping the card's magnetic strip for information and then using the PIN code given voluntarily by the victim, can then use the information to produce a copy of the card and withdraw funds from the account.

Another version of the scam is that the "helpful" person holds down a key or keys on the altered ATM machine, to simulate the victim's card being stuck. The victim is then instructed, again in the name of being helpful, to call the bank to retrieve the card. In fact, the helpful person immediately withdraws the card once the victim leaves and with PIN in hand, have now full access to the victim's account.

The concept is not new around the world, but, is new to Costa Rica.

Both police authorities and bank officials say that people should be careful when using an ATM and be wary of people hanging around an ATM or offering help. Authorities are asking that you keep the bank's telephone number in your cellular phone and call the bank immediately if you have a problem with the card in an ATM machine and recommend that you don't leave the ATM until the card has been reported and blocked.

Another problem with the stolen or duplicated cards is that few retailers ask for identification when using a credit card or bother to even check if the signatures on the card match, making the illegal use of the card very simple.