Watch out: Never do this when withdrawing money from an ATM
Asking for a receipt after a transaction and forgetting it somewhere can make things easier for scammers pretending to be your bank.
These days, most of us carry less and less cash. Credit cards and digital payments are everywhere, and just about every business accepts them. It’s no surprise that some people leave their wallets at home when running errands, relying on their phones to pay instead.
But when it comes to withdrawing cash from an ATM, we’re usually more cautious. We cover the keypad, shield the screen, and make sure no one can see our PIN, our balance, or the amount we’re taking out.
What many people don’t realize, though, is that the riskiest move often comes at the very end. After a transaction, the ATM asks if you’d like a receipt. A lot of us instinctively hit “YES” and walk away with a slip of paper that reveals more than we might think.
While an ATM receipt won’t show your PIN or your full card number, it does include partial card details and your account balance—information scammers can use if they get their hands on it. Criminals may even call you, pretend to be your bank, and use those details to sound convincing.
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That’s why banks in the U.S. recommend skipping the printed receipt whenever possible. If you do request one, keep it safe and shred it before throwing it away.
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