Protect yourself from ATM skimmers

The proliferation of "ATM-skimming" techniques for stealing money from bank accounts have prompted many people to be more cautious and learn some tricks to protect themselves from such fraud.

Businesswoman Thanyaporn Kunakornpaiboonsiri, 29, said it was more difficult to come up with protective measures due to rapid developments in technology. Many banks cannot keep pace with the skimmers, so ATM-users should know how best to protect themselves.

Thanyaporn said she had two accounts and always withdrew money from the one with the lesser balance. She uses the other account for savings and does not withdraw money from it via an ATM.

Even though she is not concerned about skimming, Thanyaporn said she preferred using ATMs in shopping malls or in front of banks, because those places were more secure than others.

Public-relations officer Sirijanya Puttisathain, 36, said she was not worried about ATM-card skimming, because she did not keep large amounts of money in the bank. When she receives her salary, which her company deposits into her account, she withdraws the entire amount.

She said she had been aware of this type of crime before the latest epidemic of ATM-skimming broke out. She always withdraws money from new ATM booths, preferably ones in crowded public places.

Office worker Suleeporn Uawisetwattana, 32, said ATM skimming frightened her, because

she did not know to what ends the skimmers would use the information embedded in

her chip card. She said she had begun to

withdraw her money only from ATMs

located in front of banks. Any extra money

she transfers to another account used only

for savings.

Public-relations officer Rattanasiri Duangvichai, 31, admitted to being concerned about skimming and that this had made her more cautious about using ATMs. She will withdraw her salary only at ATMs in her office building or other familiar places, and if she must withdraw a large amount, she will do so over the counter inside a bank.

"This way, I can feel safe about my money," she added.

Rice-exporter Napatkanok Boon-utis, 30, said she always used an ATM located near her home or in front of a bank.

"When I have to use an ATM, I look around for anyone who seems suspicious, then hide my PIN, which is the best protective measure. However, this issue of skimming makes me concerned about bank security, so I always withdraw all of my salary," she said.