This ATM Scam Is Masquerading As an Act of Kindness

Taking money out of an ATM can be a fairly nerve-wracking thing to do depending on where you are and what time of the day or night it is. Having someone show you any kind of altruistic behavior, like letting you know you dropped some cash on the floor, can lower your defenses and give you hope that the universe is not out to get you. Except that you’d be wrong: That person could be trying to scam you out of your money with the latest trick that is hitting ATMs in New York City.

How does the ATM scam work?

The scam starts with a victim taking money out of an ATM. Once they put their pin on the ATM, they’re tapped on the shoulder by the scammer, who points at some cash on the floor that they planted, telling the victim that they dropped it. As the victim reaches to pick up the money, the scammer takes the victim’s card and sometimes replaces it with a dupe.

According to the New York Daily News, the trick can involve more than one scammer (usually two to four men or women). One of the other scammers would have seen the victim’s pin code before they were tapped on the shoulder. Once they have the card and the pin, they go to other ATMs and empty out the account. If the card was a credit card, scammers won’t need the pin and can just spend away anywhere (although you can easily recover that money from the bank).

The scam seems to have started on the Upper East Side of New York City, according to NBC 4 New York, but it has already spread to every borough of the city and it would not be surprising to see it in other parts of the country or internationally.

How to avoid being a victim

Be aware of your surroundings. If you know there was no cash on the floor when you stepped up to the ATM, haven’t taken out cash yet, and were not carrying any to begin with, you know that cash is not yours. If someone tells you it is, just say it’s not yours and go on with your business. If you’re not sure if it’s yours, take out your card first and then pick it up, or pick it up once you are done with your transaction.

If the cash really is yours, or you drop your keys or any other object at the ATM, just step on it and keep it close to you. Do not take your eyes off the ATM or your card until you’re done with it. If you notice a person or a group of people acting suspiciously at an ATM, just leave.

What to do if you’re a victim

Never try to fight back or physically take the card back from a thief or scammer. They could be armed, and it’s not worth the risk. First, call your bank and let them know what happened. They should be able to freeze and replace your card once you report it stolen. Then call your local police.