Check every ATM for terrifyingly subtle new 'deep insert' card skimmers – clues to look out for

SCAMMERS in New York City have taken to plugging ATMs with subtle devices that hijack information from credit cards strips and and record pin numbers.

The data skimming devices are almost unnoticeable to the untrained eye - here's how to spot one and prevent it from taking your information.

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What is ATM skimming?

When using an ATM, the common fear is that someone will take the cash you've just withdrawn right from your hand.

But the real threat might unexpectedly come from inside the ATM.

ATM skimming is a two-part scam involving a small but sophisticated card reader and a miniature camera.

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Criminals insert a small, battery powered card skimming device into the ATM's card slot.

The skimmer reads the payment information embedded in the magnetic stripe on the back of the card while a camera records the victim entering their pin number.

The criminals later return to ATM to remove the skimmer and camera and download their content.

In a recent scam unearthed in New York City, the card skimmer found was less than a millimeter tall.

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With the data obtained from the card's magstripe and the pin number compromised by the video, scammers have enough payment information to spend on the victim's dime.

Experts at McAfee explained that scammers could plug the stolen information onto a blank ATM card and make a withdrawal in the victim's name.

Preventing card skimming

ATMs can be fitted with a camera engineered with image-recognition technology inside the card insertion slot.

The ATM manufacturer that was targeted in New York City has begun to experiment with a camera inside the card reader slot for detecting foreign objects, Krebs on Security reported.

More modern ATMs have adopted contactless payments where the user does not insert their card into a slot, but taps or waves the card above a sensor.

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Until contactless payments are fully universal, the most basic of methods will work to avoid becoming a victim of a skimming scam:

Simply cover the number keypad when you enter your pin number.