one thing I'm doing now is getting those visa one time use disposable "gift" cards, that are premade amounts.... tip: I got mine at a local bank, because the card itself works like a visa, say give the bank $100 cash (+3.50 card fee) and now you've got a $100 card that works like and is a visa... if you get one at a retail store those charge like $5 per transaction (ripoff) plus the card/monthly fee. from one of our local banks, you can get Visa cards that work like debit cards and no monthly fee, no per transaction fee, just the $3.50 per card fee... so getting a couple in $100-$200 increments, and using those at restaurants/gas stations/online is a great alternative to typical credit/debit cards. https://www.wellsfargo.com/giftcard/ https://www.wellsfargo.com/giftcard/faq/using there's some limits, like should go inside to buy gas w/it vs at pump etc, but overall it looks like a great way to have visa/cc access without having to hassle with worrying about accounts being compromised. I'm only using cash or one of these from now on for restaurants and gas stations and websites, other than amazon. -k
In our country, ATM machine are used widely, so there are so many problems the happens, but all of these are solved smoothly, I think there's no worries about this problems if the bank have good strategies and techniques to support ATM
4 tips to protect you from ATM thieves http://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-tips-to-protect-you-from-brn-569297724.html?x=0&.v=1 Constance Gustke, On Wednesday July 14, 2010, 6:00 am EDT ATMs are under siege more than ever from skimming. Skimming, where ATM thieves steal your PIN and account number using remote devices, is increasing dramatically. Often done by sophisticated crime rings from the Eastern bloc countries, ATM skimming is becoming a high-tech art that's hard to detect. That's bad news for consumers. Experts say that losses from skimming are approaching $1 billion. Nearly one in five fraud victims reported having their credit card PIN or debit card ATM PIN information stolen in 2009, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. And Robert Vamosi, an analyst handling risk, fraud and security at Javelin, sees ATM skimming continuing to rise this year and next. "Consumers aren't aware of ATM tampering," he says. "ATMs have 40 years of trust." Skimming isn't new. It's been around for at least 10 years. What has changed is that the "technology of the bad guy is getting better and better every year," says Robert Siciliano, a security expert based in Boston. "It's up to consumers to watch their own backs." Typically, ATM thieves use two devices to capture your PIN and card data. One device sits near where you swipe your card and reads the magnetic stripe on your card with your account number. Even more confusing, the device mimics the card slot. "The technology has evolved to a point where the molded plastic fits like it belongs there," says Siciliano. Devices are even readily available over the Internet for as little as $300. A camera, hidden from view, captures the PIN. "You can get the data in real time," says Siciliano. "You can be in your car with a laptop remotely accessing the device." Thieves then burn the data onto a blank card to access your money. U.S. Secret Service spokesman Max Milien wants consumers to be warned. "The public is notified after an event," he says. And don't take bank security for granted. Fraud can occur at any bank in any part of the country. Thieves are even sending out false text alerts to get consumer data. Banks, they say, are slow to adopt anti-skimming measures. When Javelin surveyed 25 banks, four stood out, though, for their anti-theft measures. They are Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo. Experts add that debit card users are most at risk. Typically, consumers must report fraudulent charges within two days, limiting your liability to $50. If you report ATM skimming fraud within 60 days, you're liable for the first $500 of any transaction. Siciliano adds that thieves carefully orchestrate ATM withdrawals, maxing out cash withdrawals one day and waiting until after midnight for the next stash, which quickly adds up. Here are four tips to help you protect your account. 1. Cover your password with your hand Hidden cameras are disguised so they can pick up your password. By protecting it, ATM thieves can't access your account. 2. Use familiar ATMs and limit your visits ATMs in dimly lighted spots or used late at night could be more susceptible to fraud, while ATMs under video surveillance can be safer. Stay away from ATMs at retail stores or restaurants, adds Siciliano. Recently, skimming devices were found on ATMs in a popular grocery store in central Florida. Airports, convenience stores or kiosks are equally vulnerable to ATM thieves. Still, even highly trafficked ATMs outside a bank branch have been targeted by thieves. Also, try to limit your visits to the ATM. "With frequency, there's risk," says Siciliano. 3. Check bank balances frequently Given the two-day window for reporting fraud, it pays to check your account frequently. If you don't report fraud within 60 days, you have unlimited liability. "Sign up for alerts and notice unusual withdrawals," says Vamosi. With credit cards there are more protections in place, and you can dispute charges."You have at least a billing cycle," says Siciliano. 4. Observe the ATM Vamosi cautions consumers to look at an ATM to make sure a card slot is "legitimate and not tacked on." Look for things that strike you, he says. "Some people have felt that when they inserted their card, something went awry," he says. In that case, try another ATM. When protecting your account against ATM thieves, "it's all about awareness, paying attention and understanding risks," says Sicilano. "There are 400,000 ATMs and every one of them is susceptible to fraud. The speed and convenience of technology has replaced the security of technology."
Scum like Bush filled the govt. with suited mafia. The entire upper crust is a cesspool of degenerates. It's not like that bastards in home land security can't find out where the money is going. Let's face the facts, the criminals are now operating the govt. and they're letting part of their gang members get away with the loot.