Stop Skimming

Skimming is a very common crime. Every year, hundreds of vending machines are tampered with. Fraudsters illegally obtain data from credit, debit, and bank cards in order to withdraw cash abroad.

Skimming is always lurking

Skimming can be carried out anywhere cash can be withdrawn from an ATM or payments can be made with a magnetic card. In practice, all automatic dispensers are at risk: ATMs, credit card payment terminals in shops, self-service fuel pumps, and ticket vending machines. In Switzerland, ATMs and payment terminals comply with very high security standards and are constantly monitored. Nevertheless, fraudsters may still find ways to bypass even the most advanced security measures.

Fraudsters use special devices that, when attached to vending machines, can copy the data stored on the magnetic strip of bank, debit, and credit cards, as well as spy on the PIN as it is being entered. These scams are often carried out by organized criminal gangs.

A campaign to stay vigilant

The "Stop skimming" prevention campaign aims to concretely show cardholders how to defend themselves against this fraud by adopting simple rules of behavior. The campaign targets the Swiss population with posters, information leaflets, a short video introduction to ATMs, a website and a Facebook page.

A sense of responsibility is the best weapon against skimming

Financial institutions and the police are very determined in the fight against skimming: investments in technological innovations are huge. In addition, many vending machines are regularly inspected by trained personnel. Often the police are able to seize the devices that fraudsters use to tamper with the machines and arrest those responsible. But one can never be 100 percent sure.