Community First Headquarters and branches will close at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24th, and will be closed on Thursday, December 25th. Online Banking, Mobile Banking, and Info24 will be available.

Close Notification
Locations
Become a Member

ATM Skimming Safety Tips

Stealing debit card information using "skimmers" at gas pumps and ATMs is an old problem. But thieves are becoming more sophisticated at hiding the devices and getting around some of the fixes merchants have put in their way. Below are some additional ATM safety tips to keep in mind.
Jump to:

Safety Tips

Look for signs of tampering

Before using an ATM or point-of-sale terminal, it's wise to check for signs of tampering. According to the Portland, Oregon Police Department, try gently wiggling the keypad or card slot. If anything feels loose, avoid using the machine. Additionally, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs suggests being cautious of keypads that look raised or have an unusual color, as this could indicate a thief has placed a device over the keypad to capture your PIN. Some gas pumps are equipped with security tape around the card reader. If the tape is broken, it may signal that the reader has been tampered with. For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit the OCC Consumer Advisory.

Protect your PIN
Place your hand over the keypad when entering your personal identification number in case thieves have installed a pinhole camera to record it, the Better Business Bureau recommends.
Create a separate account
Open a smaller account, separate from your primary, checking account, and use it exclusively for debit card transactions. If the account is skimmed, the lower balance would limit your losses.
Inspect ATM before using
Beware of ATMs whose card slots are a different color than the rest of the machine; have unusual equipment on the slot, keypad or sides, or overhead (which could hide a camera); or don't accept your card smoothly. If the slot is not securely attached, walk away. Newer ATMs have a flashing or steady light at the card slot. If it's obscured, suspect tampering.
Debit & Credit Cards | use a chip card
Credit and other debit cards with chips offer better protection than those only with magnetic stripes. But that's only the case if you insert just the chip portion of your card into a reader. If you need to insert your entire card, a skimmer may steal the data from the magnetic stripe.
Protect personal information
Carefully examine your bank account activity online to see whether funds have been withdrawn that you didn't authorize, FICO says. You can also set up an alert so that you're notified when funds are withdrawn.
Safety Resources
Fraud Prevention Tips for Holiday Shopping
Blog | Fraud prevention tips for holiday shopping

'Tis the Season for holiday shopping, eggnog, and....fraud? Unfortunately, this time of year is when fraudsters are especially active. Here are 10 tips right from our fraud team to keep you safe during the holidays.

Read Now
Person upset on the phone
Blog | Auto warranty expiration scam

“Hello! We’re calling about your car’s extended warranty…” 

More likely than not, you have received annoying phone calls from someone trying to sell you a car warranty regardless of what your car situation is. Either way, when you receive one of these calls, you should proceed with caution. 

Read Now
Two women looking at their phones
Blog | Are peer-to-peer payment apps safe?

Peer-to-peer payments have become even more popular during the pandemic as they've enabled people to reduce contact by going virtual and cashless. As apps increase in popularity, it is essential to know how they work in the first place.

Read Now
Couple looking at laptop concerned
Blog | How to avoid tax theft scams

Tax theft scams are more common than you think. Tax scammers are continually finding novel ways to steal your personal information as well as your money. 

Read Now
Report a fraud

Important resources that can help you combat fraud.

Annual Credit Report

Get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting agency. Ensure that the information on all of your credit reports is correct and up to date. Reviewing credit reports helps you catch signs of identity theft early. 

Learn More
Check, Credit, Debit Fraud

Check Fraud

  • Report check fraud, please visit your nearest branch location or call us at 904-354-8537

Credit Fraud

  • Report credit card lost or stolen: 904-354-8537 option 2, option 2, option 1
  • Report credit card fraud: 904-354-8537option 2, option 2, option 2

Debit Fraud

  • Report lost or stolen: 904-354-8537 option 2, option 1, option 1
  • Report fraud: 904-354-8537 option 2, option 1, option 3
Learn More
Credit Bureaus
Call: Or try: 
  • “Credit Freeze” - This tool lets you restrict access to your credit report, which in turn makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
  • “Fraud Alert”- If you are concerned about identity theft, but haven’t yet become a victim, this fraud alert will protect your credit from unverified access for at least 30 days.
Identity Theft
  • Report Identity theft and get a recovery plan below.
  • Notify Community First of any Identity Theft that you've experienced.
Learn More

Sources:

https://www.consumerreports.org/scams-fraud/thieves-get-craftier-with-skimmers-debit-cards-credit-cards/
http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2016/atm-skimmer-scams-to-dodge.html