Danger! Savings banks warn of dangerous cash trapping at ATMs

Danger! Savings banks warn of dangerous cash trapping at ATMs

In recent months, withdrawing money from ATMs has increasingly turned out to be a risky affair. The savings banks are warning urgently about a fraudulent scam known as cash trapping. Criminals manipulate the ATMs so that the cash that has been paid out remains “trapped” in the machine, while the unsuspecting customer usually runs away unknowingly. Loud merkur.de This is a nationwide problem that is particularly acute in densely populated areas. The trick works by using a deceptively real fastener that is stuck over the cash dispenser slot and ensures that money stays in place.

If a customer falls for this scam, he runs the risk that the fraudsters will return shortly after he leaves and steal the “captured” money. The savings banks have already taken measures to counteract the whole thing. These include new cash ejection techniques designed to make cash trapping more difficult, as well as special security techniques at risky locations that include mechanical security and video surveillance.

How can you protect yourself?

The savings banks give their customers several recommendations to protect themselves from cash trapping. Before using an ATM, the following measures should be taken:

• Überprüfung des Ausgabefachs auf Manipulationen.
• Leichtes Rütteln am Ausgabefach, um Verblendungen zu erkennen.
• Auskontrollieren des ausgezahlten Geldes direkt am Automaten.

In the event of an incident, you are advised not to leave the ATM but to report the problem to the bank and the police immediately. Positive news: Customers don't have to fear financial loss if they report cash trapping properly. The money not paid out is credited to those affected and the manipulations are recorded.

Cash remains popular

Despite the increasing use of cashless payment options, cash is still an indispensable part of everyday life for many Germans. A current one Study by the German Bundesbank has shown that around half of everyday payment transactions are still carried out with cash. The popularity of cash is also reflected in the fact that 81 percent of those surveyed believe that all transactions at physical payment locations can be carried out cashless.

Although the share of non-cash payment methods has increased in recent years - it grew by 7 percentage points to 49% - cash remains a valuable component in everyday payment transactions not only for practical reasons, but also because of the protection of privacy. Germans value the convenience of cashless means of payment, but cash has not lost its value to this day.

By warning against cash trapping and continually adapting to new technologies, savings banks are showing that they are striving to increase security protection for their customers. However, every individual is required to be attentive and act carefully when it comes to using ATMs.