Oct 02, 2008 02:32 PM
5277 Views
Are you having an ATM card or Debit / credit card:
If you are using these electronic card you have to take the following precautions:
Automated Teller Machines(ATMs) have made our lives easier. If you forgot to go to the credit union before closing time to get money, no problem. Just zip into one of the ATMs and access the money in your checking or savings account day or night. But wherever you’re at, be aware of your surroundings and use safety precautions when using an ATM or debit card.
PULSE, the nation’s leading independent financial industry-owned electronic funds network, offers some safety tips when using an ATM. Even though you’ve heard them before, remember the old adage: an ounce of prevention…
· Observe the surroundings at the ATM location before conducting a transaction.
· Block the view of others when using an ATM to make sure they cannot see your Personal Identification Number
(PIN).
· Look for possible fraudulent devices attached to an ATM. If anything looks suspicious, use another machine.
· Never allow a cashier or any other person to enter your PIN for you.
· Have your card ready to minimize the time you spend at an ATM.
· When using a drive-up ATM after dark, keep your car doors locked, passenger windows rolled up and headlights
on when conducting your transaction.
· If using an ATM at night, try to take someone with you.
· Check your ATM receipts against your monthly credit union statements, just as you do your cancelled checks.
· Don’t store the magnetic strip on the back of your ATM card against the magnetic strip of another credit card in your purse or wallet. It will corrupt the strip and make your card unusable.
· If you see overgrown shrubbery, poor lighting or other potential hazards at your credit union’s ATM, report it to your credit union immediately.
· Your ATM card is the same as cash, so make sure you keep it in a safe place. Keep your PIN a secret and don’t disclose confidential information about your card over the telephone or the Internet.
By following these precautions and using common sense, you can enjoy this convenience without becoming the latest crime statistic.
