Skimming Devices, Et Al

Skimming Devices

For an online freelance worker, our lifeline to the real world is our Automated Teller Machine cards. Although some freelancers prefer to do transactions online, I know a good number of online freelance workers who would go out and withdraw their earnings through an automated teller machine. 

Withdrawing one's earnings through an ATM gives us the chance to go out and see what is happening in the world. It also gives us the chance to see the new shops that have opened in the malls. It also gives us the change to be able to mingle with REAL people.

While surfing the net recently, I came upon a thread on a forum about skimming devices that have started to affect a number of people in the city where I reside in. Although this phenomenon was quite prevalent in our nation's capital, it was only recently that I knew that these devices have reached the Queen City of the South (Yes, I live in the Queen City of the South). 

This is a big problem for online freelancers like me who have the preference of making transactions using an ATM. We are particularly vulnerable to this (aside from other people who use their ATM for bank transactions) since it gives these unscrupulous people access to our bank accounts. They can actually clean out all of our life savings at a single click of a button.

The posts on the thread reported some ATMs where skimming devices were supposedly installed. And it appears that these locations are some of the places where I normally withdraw my earnings from. Although the situation can be considered alarming especially since the Queen City of the South is relatively safer compared to the nation's capital, online freelance workers can take some measures to avoid becoming a victim of these unscrupulous individuals. 

The first thing that we should do is to make sure that the ATMs where we withdraw our earnings is not located in an isolated area where foot traffic is minimal. These scammers normally choose ATMs  that have less foot traffic since they can easily install the skimming devices that they use to get our hard-earned cash. It would be better to withdraw your earnings in a ATM that is located in a mall where foot traffic is heavy. However, take into consideration that some of these ATMs in the malls are located in areas that have low foot traffic. Due to this, look for one where foot traffic is heavy.

The second thing that we can do is to check the ATM itself. If the ATM appears to have been modified, it would be better to find another place to withdraw your earnings. You can try to move the card reading slot. If it moves, then there is a possibility that a skimming device may have been placed over the actual card reader slot. 

Pinhole Camera

Another thing that you can do is to use your second hand as a cover when you type in your pin. Although there are some ATMs that already have a cover over the keypad itself, it would be good to make it a habit of using the other hand as cover when you type in your pin.

The fourth thing that you can do, which I think is probably is the safest, albeit the most time-consuming, is to transact over the counter. Yes, you have to get a priority number and fill up a withdrawal slip, but at least this is the safest way to get your hands on your hard-earned cash without worrying about those skimming devices that have reportedly started to come out like mushrooms all over the city. After I read the through the thread last night, I immediately went to the bank today and took out most of my earnings from the bank over the counter. I also informed the teller about the reports on the skimming that have supposedly affected their ATMs.I do hope that something good will come out of what I told the teller.

Anyway, I hope that all of the online freelance workers out there would stay safe and be able to enjoy the fruits of their online labor.