Do you ever have that creepy feeling that you're being watched? -- That someone you can't see is looking over your shoulder? It may be more than just your imagination, especially if you're using an ATM card at your bank or gas station.

Thieves are out there watching, often with telescopes or cameras with long telephoto lenses. They are watching your hands punch your personal identification number into the terminal. The next step is to make a copy of your ATM card. That's easier than you may think. All they need is your account number and a device that imprints that number on the magnetic strip of a blank credit card.

Those account numbers are plentiful. There are trashcans and wastebaskets full of them around every automated teller machine. People just throw them away, not realizing that a clever thief can use the numbers printed on those receipts to manufacture duplicate ATM cards. Passers then use those cards to drain cash from victims' bank accounts until either the money is gone or the card access is canceled by the bank.

I've heard of these watchers, these so-called "shoulder surfers," in New York City. These "surfers" spy on callers as they punched their calling-card numbers on pay phones. Those numbers were later sold on the street for $20 to $50 apiece.

More recently, two enterprising thieves in New York installed a small video camera over an ATM to record people as they made their transactions. They also provided a handy tray to dispose of the ATM receipts. They put the information together and ripped off the banks for $1.4 million in only six days.

This is also happening at service stations where people use their ATM cards to buy gas. The terminal is usually mounted on a post near the pumps in plain view of anyone nearby. All the surfer has to do is watch for those customers who throw their gas receipts in the trash, and they have the makings of a counterfeit card. Arco is now lowering their ATM terminals so the customer's body blocks the view of the keypad.

One device that might foil shoulder surfers is a special kind of digital keypad. There are no numbers printed on the keys. Instead, the person at the door presses a button that reveals lighted numbers behind the keys in random order. That number pattern is different every time the button is pushed and can be seen only by someone standing directly in front of the keypad.

Here are some tips to avoid being ripped off:

-- Memorize your PIN number. Don't write it on your card or carry it in your wallet.

-- Don't choose obvious number sequences, like 1-2-3-4, your address or your birth date. These are the first numbers a thief would try if he or she had your wallet.

-- Change your PIN number at least once every 6-12 months, some criminals are patient and will wait for the most opportune time to get their hands on your card.

-- Cover the ATM keypad with your hand or body when entering your access code.

-- Take your receipts with you. If you don't want them for your bank records, at least throw them away elsewhere.

-- Be suspicious... no matter who's behind you in line, don't take any chances.

-- Keep a lookout for suspicious objects or items in or around the terminal.

-- Keep your PIN number to yourself. You never know when your friend or significant other will no longer be your friend or significant other.

-- Look away whenever somebody else is using an ATM or Keypad... you expect this courtesy from others, so make sure you offer it yourself.

I hope you've enjoyed this guide, please contact me with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Thank you,

Randall, of Randalls-eBooks

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