The simple gesture of pressing the “cancel” key when completing a transaction at an ATM can be crucial in protecting banking information and preventing third parties from accessing sensitive data, according to the Bank of Spain.
Although many focus on withdrawing money or a card and then leaving, skipping this step leaves the temporary session open for several seconds in some ATM models.
The problem of leaving the session open at the ATM, even for a few minutesIt is that it allows another person to access the balance, recent transactions or even perform new operations before the system automatically logs you out.
For this reason, the Spanish Financial Authority emphasizes that security at ATMs depends on adopting preventive habits that are usually ignored, despite their simplicity.
Among the guidelines is the immediate collection of the receipt generated after each financial transaction. If it is not necessary to keep it, The Bank of Spain advises its destructionBecause it may contain sensitive information, such as part of the card number or available balance.
next to, You should save money before leaving the station and avoid organizing belongings in the vicinity.So that you do not lose focus or make dangerous situations easier for you.
Another basic procedure is to cover the keypad when entering your PIN using your free hand, phone, or wallet. This precaution prevents hidden cameras or people nearby from recording the key.
The Bank of Spain suggests checking the outside of the ATM before using itCheck for foreign objects in the card reader, keypad or cash machine, as they may indicate the presence of fraudulent devices.
Among the most common forms of fraud, the entity highlights card cloning using installed devices to copy data and hidden cameras to capture the PIN.
In addition, He mentions setting traps in a cash machinedesigned to hold money and allow criminals to recover it later. Social engineering techniques pose another danger: individuals pretend to need help to distract the user and obtain confidential information.
To limit exposure to these risks, the Bank of Spain advises using ATMs located indoors or in well-lit areas. If the station displays unusual messages or requests unusual dataIt is safer to cancel the operation immediately.
In case of any technical problem, You should refuse help from strangers and contact the bank directly. If you are a victim of fraud, it is useful to notify the bank as soon as possible and file a report with the relevant authorities.
Using technological tools provided by financial institutions adds an additional layer of protection. Incorporating this knowledge into your daily routine when using ATMs complements practical measures and allows you to anticipate risks, as well as respond more quickly to potential incidents.
Among these options are the following: Activate SMS or email notifications for each transaction, set daily cash withdrawal limits and favor bank transfers when large amounts of money are needed, rather than moving cash.
In this sense, You have virtual cards for online purchasesOr associated with temporary payment applications enhance security against potential theft of physical data at ATMs.
Authorities and financial entities highlight that education and constant updating on new forms of fraud are key allies for users. Terminal security advisory guides encourage more solid and up-to-date preventative habits.