Can ATM machines be trusted...?

I recieved an email the other day about a warning with regard ATM machines. I'm not sure how factual it is but it was based on the idea that bank ATM's can be converted to steal the bank ID's of customers!

Apparently a team of organised criminals have been installing equipment to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits in a nearby car recieving the information that's transmitted wirelessly from equipment they install on the front of the ATM.


The equipment is used, is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A "skimmer" is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in the nearby car.




The email also says that at the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view the ATM PIN entries.



Sadly enough, the thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time, directly from the bank ATM.



This picture shows the camera installed and ready to capture PIN's by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN.





I'm not sure as to how accurate this email is, but its a scary thought! When I've been to an ATM since reading the email I have had an eye out - 'just incase!' Maybe its not necessary, but i guess there is always that posibility!!