We live in an era in which digital payments and the use of credit or debit cards have become part of the daily routine. However, that does not mean that cash It has gone to better life. Although technology facilitates transactions, there are still millions of people who prefer physical money for their daily purchases. And to have tickets and coins In the pocket he continues to offer some peace of mind for many. Of course, the use of cash also entails its risks, especially to get out of the cashier.
Therefore, the Bank of Spain has launched a series of recommendations for Use the ATMs with greater security. One of the most outstanding tips is a gesture that we should all do anything else Receive money: Save it immediately in the wallet. It seems obvious, but passing it can cost us very expensive.
What you should do when getting money from the cashier
Although digitalization advances by leaps and bounds, the use of cash is still very present among Spanish citizens. The data leaves no doubt: according to the latest report on Habits in the use of money in cashprepared by the Bank of Spain, 57% of Spaniards continue to use tickets and coins daily, and 59% consider it their preferred payment method.
For this reason, criminals have been perfecting their tactics to take advantage of those who use ATMs. There are advanced methods such as Installation of devices in the card readerknown as Skimmerswhich allow clone of the information contained in the magnetic band.
To this is added the use of tiny cameras Strategy placed to record the moment in which we introduce the PIN. Another usual technique is to manipulate the cash dispenser so that money does not come out, simulating a technical error, when they have actually blocked the mechanism with an object.
Recommendations from the Bank of Spain
Faced with these risks, the Bank of Spain has developed a series of practical recommendations that can help us avoid dislikes. The first thing is Activate bank alertseither by SMS or email, to receive immediate notifications every time an operation is performed with our account. This allows us to quickly detect suspicious movements and act quickly.
Another measure and consider is Establish daily withdrawal limits. Thus, if someone fraudulently accesses our card, he will not be able to get large amounts of money. It is also advisable to plan how much cash we will need, and if it is a high sum, assess whether it would not be better to use a bank transfer or a safer payment method.
Not all ATMs are the same, and the choice of the place where we withdraw the money can make a difference. It is always safer to use ATMs that are located within bank offices or in very busy and well illuminated areas. Removing money in dark, separated or rare places increases risks.
Also, before inserting the card, it is convenient Examine the cashier with attention. If we detect strange or poorly fitted elements in the reader, the keyboard or the money slot, it is best not to use it and notify the corresponding entity. These details, even if they seem insignificant, may be clear signs that the cashier has been manipulated.
One of the most frequent mistakes we commit when you get money is not Cover the keyboard when entering the pin. It may seem nonsense, but this simple gesture can prevent someone from recording it with a hidden camera or seeing it from an angle. Similarly, we must distrust anyone who approaches too much or tries to help us when we are in front of the cashier, especially if an error occurs.
A very common (and dangerous) practice is Leave receipt at the cashier. Although it may seem harmless, the paper may contain sensitive data such as the latest card digits or partial account information. The most advisable thing is to collect the voucher and, if we do not need it, destroy it before throwing it in the trash.
In conclusion, although Remove money from an ATM It is usual, we must not underestimate the risks that it entails. The key is to maintain attention and apply small security measures that, although simple, are very effective to avoid fraud or robberies. Act calmly, check the environment and the cashier itself, protect the pin and, above all, save the money immediately in a safe place before moving away, they are actions that can make a big difference.
It is also essential to know how to act before any incident: Block the card as soon as possible and denounce what happened. In these cases, every minute counts. In the end, protecting ourselves does not depend only on technology or the bank, but also on our attitude and responsibility.
