To steal funds from a person’s account, thieves work to access both the victim’s card, or card details, and their Personal Identification Number (PIN). The techniques (modus operandi – MOs) that ATM thieves use to achieve these can be divided into people centred MOs and ‘machine centred’ MOs.

 

   People centred MOs

 

1. DISTRACTION THEFT 

Once the ATM user has entered their card details, the thief distracts them before they have removed their card. Whilst the victim is distracted the thief (or an accomplice) removes the card from the slot. Common distraction methods include drawing a victim’s attention to money on the floor, requesting local directions, using a map to obstruct the victim’s view of the ATM, knocking into the victim or spilling food or drink on or near them – typically at the point their card is about to be returned.

 

2. SHOULDER SURFING

The thief stands near the victim and observes them as they enter their PIN. Sometimes thieves enter the PIN into their phone, as though they are sending a text.

3. REMOTE OBSERVATION

Looking from a nearby vantage point, such as a window, using a camera zoom or binoculars, the thief observes the victim’s entry on the ATM keyboard as they provide the PIN.

4. PICK-POCKETING OF USER AT ATM

The thief removes the card from the pocket or bag of the user as they leave the ATM.

5. ROBBERY OF USER AT ATM

The thief challenges the user at the ATM and steals their card using force or threat.

 

 

   Machine centred MOs

6. PINHOLE CAMERA

The thief mounts a pinhole camera directly onto the ATM so that it can film the PIN as it is entered. This video footage is transmitted to a nearby receiver enabling the PIN to be united later with the stolen card or card details.

7. CARD TRAPPING

The thief fits a device called a ‘Lebanese Loop’ within the card slot of the ATM. The device retains the card after the PIN has been entered. Whilst the victim enters the bank to report the problem the thief removes the device along with the victim’s card.

8. CARD SKIMMING

The thief fits a device called a ‘Skimmer’ over the card slot of the ATM. The device is able to read the card details from the magnetic strip on the card and transmit this information to a nearby receiver.

9. FAKE KEYPAD

The thief mounts a fake keypad over the existing one. As the PIN is entered it is transmitted to a nearby receiver.