ATM scam has locals wary

ATM users in Rotorua are banking on taking extra caution to stop skimmers stealing their money.

The Daily Post surveyed shoppers using Westpac's ATM at the City Focus yesterday and found many were worried about the bank skimming at BNZ Machines in Auckland.

The scam works by fitting a device to the card slot to copy account details.

Customers' PINs are recorded by a small camera or by looking over their shoulder.

The information is used to produce fake cards that access the accounts.

Rotorua's Ara Kautai said she had changed ATM machines since hearing about the skimming. After difficulties putting her card in the machine she normally uses she became suspicious.

She admitted she was more cautious now but using the ATM was something people needed to be able to do.

Robyn Kahukiwa admitted she was "quite nervous" and said she used the Westpac machine because it was right outside the bank. She said she did not want to use the two ATMs 100m up the road because they were too isolated.

But Aaron Wong-Sang wasn't anxious about using the machine.

"I do most of my banking through the internet and there is a much higher risk than using an ATM."

Gail West admitted she was hesitant when using the ATM machine yesterday.



"There are often a lot of people sitting around under the trees.

"I don't know what they are doing . . . if they are watching you."

Andrea Tichborne said she used eftpos because it was safer than an ATM.

Westpac spokesman Mark Watts said the bank had reviewed its security measures. He said none of the bank's ATMs in the Bay of Plenty had been targeted. Anyone who found signs of tampering, scratches or if there was anything which seemed "not quite right" should contact the bank immediately.

He also said people needed to cover their hand when entering their PIN number and be aware of anyone standing unnaturally close. Having difficulty inserting a card was not necessarily evidence of skimming but if someone was in doubt he or she should contact the bank.