ATM scam: the number to never call

Scams of all kinds continue to plague the four corners of France. In particular, ATM scams claim many victims each year. The targets in question are often vulnerable people, but we must not forget that no one is immune to a well-crafted scam. Indeed, it is very difficult to predict how we react to a stressful situation: under the influence of anxiety, certain conclusions that seem obvious to us to draw with hindsight do not make their way in our mind.

In the case of the distributor scam, a certain scenario corresponds particularly to this exploitation of the feeling of urgency that seizes everyone when the advent of a major unforeseen event. Here, it is the case where the victim inserts his bank card into a distributor in order to withdraw cash and does not manage to recover it. This can happen in many situations: if you have too much overdraft, for example, your bank may decide to withdraw your card in this way. However, it could also be that a scammer is behind the retention of your precious means of payment.

When your credit card remains blocked in an ATM, one of the first reflexes is obviously to contact your bank. If it occurs to you to enter the subsidiary attached to the distributor you have just used, beware! The scammer could come and steal the card in question in the meantime. Another scenario: you see a sticker on the dispenser, indicating a number to call in case of emergency. At the end of the line, you will be asked by so-called security measure to enter your confidential code.

Do not follow up on this request: you could lose all your savings. Indeed, the scammer, now provided with your code, will wait for your departure to recover your card and use it as he sees fit. It is therefore important not to call the number indicated on the ATM, but contact your banker through the usual number, and oppose it as quickly as possible. In addition, one should not walk away from the distributor until the opposition has been confirmed.