December 2010

Staying safe at an ABM

Nearly 90 per cent of Canadians conduct their banking using Automated Banking Machines (ABM) and banks work hard to ensure these machines are located in safe environments. While it is extremely rare in Canada, customer robberies can occur at ABMs and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

Reverse PINs are a Myth

It is important to be aware of an urban myth that directs you to enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) backwards if you are being robbed at an ABM. According to the myth, entering your PIN backwards will still withdraw the money you request, but will also immediately dispatch police to come and help you. This myth is completely untrue. There is no way for an ABM to decrypt a PIN entered backwards, it will simply direct you to re-enter your PIN.

What should I do if I'm confronted by a robber while at an ABM?

For banks, customer safety is the number one concern. If you're approached by a robber while banking at a machine, it's best to cooperate with them to ensure that you stay safe. If you're coerced into giving your PIN, then you will get your money back from your financial institution. Once the robbery is over, return to a safe place and then contact the police immediately. The banks have security monitoring systems in place and can often assist police in their investigations of this type of robbery. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:

• Be aware of your surroundings, particularly while using an ABM at night, early in the morning or when there are few people around.
• If you feel at all uncomfortable about using an ABM for any reason, it's best to delay using the ABM until another time or go somewhere else.
• Be discreet when counting your cash in view of others.
• Call local police if you notice any suspicious activity at or near the ABM.

For more fraud prevention tips from the Canadian Bankers Association or to sign up to receive new tips by e-mail please visit the Fraud and Security section of the Canadian Bankers Association website.

Do you have an idea for a future fraud prevention tip? Send us an e-mail with your idea to FraudPreventionTips@cba.ca.

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Canada’s banks take the issue of privacy, security and fraud prevention very seriously. They work hard to prevent their operations and customers from being used for any kind of financial crime and to raise awareness about the ways that customers can protect themselves.

As a consumer, you also have an important role to play in preventing fraud. This month we'll correct a myth that inputting your PIN backwards at an ABM will alert your bank and the police that you are being robbed. We'll also provide some tips on how to protect yourself at an ABM.