Financial
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Shield the keypad with your hand or body while typing your PIN. This makes it harder for onlookers or hidden cameras to see the digits.
Hidden cameras have been used for years to capture PINs from a distance.
7 people, independently
Immediately use your bank's mobile app to freeze or cancel your card if it is lost or stolen.
Apps are almost certainly faster than calling or visiting branches, often enabling you to block the card in under a minute.
3 people, independently
Place thin clear tape over the magnetic strip of frequently swiped cards to prevent wear.
This prevents the strip from wearing out.
- Sometimes doesn't work with RFID chips
- Replacement is free
one person who lived it
Immediately cancel or freeze your cards if you suspect they are lost or stolen.
Reporting the card fast enough can help recover any money spent and make tracking easier.
4 people, independently
Before using any card reader, tug on it with force to check if it is securely attached.
Skimmers can be hidden under or inside the reader slot; a loose part may indicate tampering.
- Some modern skimmers are designed to fit inside the slit and cannot be detected by tugging.
2 people, independently
Check gas pumps for broken or voided tamper-evident tape, wires sticking out of scanners, or added-on keypad stickers; use cash if you see signs of tampering.
Scammers may break open pump electronics to place a scanner inside.
- You can't tell when a seal is real or not.
- Minimum wage workers often don't ensure the tape is back.
2 people, independently
Use credit cards rather than debit cards for transactions.
Consumer protections are stronger, and if the card is misused, the company's money is at risk rather than draining your actual bank account.
3 people, independently
Memorize your CVV code before scratching it off so you can still make online purchases.
Scratching it off often leads to forgetting the digits needed for online buys.
one person who lived it
Get fast at entering your PIN.
The longer it takes, the more chances someone has to shoulder surf.
one person who lived it
7 more on this
Use EMV chip cards when available.
They are considered safer than magnetic stripe cards.
one person who lived it
Swipe the credit card faster through the reader if it is not reading correctly.
Speed helps with magnetic induction, contrary to the belief that slower is better.
one person who lived it
Append meaningless numbers to a written-down PIN so it does not look like a short PIN.
To prevent observers from recognizing it as a PIN.
one person who lived it
Check ATM machines for loosely attached overlays or foreign elements.
There may be a scanning or swiping tool attached.
one person who lived it
Set up text notifications for every credit card transaction.
You can detect unauthorized use immediately and cancel the account.
- In the US, this is opt-in and may not work consistently.
one person who lived it
Report ATMs that appear broken or falling apart to the police.
Police investigators may be building cases related to such devices.
one person who lived it
Be wary of wireless network hijacking at businesses with low security, as thieves may steal card data remotely.
Thieves prefer hacking into business wireless networks from nearby vehicles because targeting places with low security involves very little effort.
one person who lived it