Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Going Viral > Baba Recommends

Man Becomes Suspicious of ATM and Discovers Skimmer

Edited By: Jake R.

Font Size:

A+ A-

I don't know about you but I go everywhere with my bank and credit cards, using them both to get cash and for virtually every transaction. I am aware of ATMs being targeted by thieves, yet only when I saw this video and read the account of Benjamin Tedesco did it really hit home for me how at risk I am from cleverly hidden, devious technology designed to steal my hard earned money and private credit card details.

Have a look at this short video of what Benjamin saw when he inspected an ATM during a family holiday in Vienna, Austria:

having trouble playing this movie? click here

What he managed to pull off, to the benefit of many future customers of that particular ATM, was a credit or debit card skimmer, which is designed to steal your cards. The device is an exact replica of the normal card slot found on an ATM, it has simply been glued over the top of the original 'hole in the wall.'

This sophisticated device has a magnetic strip reader, battery, switch, and control board. Quite satisfied with his discovery, Benjamin posted his video onto YouTube on 19th June 2016, and it became an instant viral hit with millions of views, and even a parody video.

While watching the parody video, Benjamin noticed something else that he had missed. Just above the purple information card over the keypad there is a grey 'lip' that protrudes out. He realized that this was a secret camera, designed to record people's pin code inputs.

When Benjamin compared the ATM in his video with the later recording in the spoof he realized that the grey 'lip' was only present on the earlier video, and hence had been removed. The first image below shows the additional grey strip that conceals a camera. The second image shows the ATM as it's meant to appear, and does in the spoof video.

This all goes to show how dangerous it is to trust in ATMs with our bank accounts. In the future, get into the habit of having a look at anything that seems like it could be removable when you use an ATM. Try and compare it with another one nearby. The best thing to do would be to stick to one or two ATMs that you can get to know as well as the back of your hand, then you will notice anything unusual.

H/T: a; b
Cover image by Deposit Photos

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Spirituality

13:20

A Harvard Professor’s Method to Happiness - a MUST WATCH!

Happiness research has gone a long way. Harvard professor Arthur C. Brooks will tell you all about it in this captivating video...

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

13:57

How to Recognize and Deal With Money Fraud

Don't say "it won't happen to me"- elder scams can happen to anyone at risk. Here's how to recognize this increasingly common type of fraud.

Computers & Internet

GUIDE: What to Do if Your Online Accounts Have Been Hacked

If you suspect that your account has been compromised or if it becomes evident that it has indeed been hacked, there are certain steps you should take.

Computers & Internet

Pro Tips: Enhancing Chrome, Firefox, & Safari Security

Make Your Browser Safer With This Handy Guide!

Make your browser more secure by following these easy tips.

Computers & Internet

The 25 Most Common Scams On the Internet

Learn to Avoid the Most Common Scams on the Internet

As we navigate the internet, there's a minefield of scams that we have to avoid that could potentially explode in our faces. Here are the 25 most common.

Computers & Internet

It's This Easy to Keep Your Computer Safe and Secure!

It is becoming more and more important to keep your computer safe from attacks and viruses: so here are 9 easy ways you can do so!

Science and Technology

Witness the Leading New Devices From 2026

5:41

Witness the Leading New Electronic Devices of 2026

The experts at CNET and PCMag were on the floor, and they've got their favorites. Let's dive in.

Humor

Hilarious Parenting Memes Parents Will Identify With

The Funny Side Of Parenting We All Understand

Take a moment to enjoy these relatable gems—they celebrate the humor, heart, and resilience that come with being a parent.

Send Comment

Related Topics: security, important information, thieves, credit card, ATM

Quizzes

Spelling Quiz July 2025

Do you trust your internal spell-checker? It's time to find out if your spelling game is elite… or due for a tune-up.

13 Challenging and Fun General Knowledge Questions

We prepared a fun general knowledge test for you with 16 questions. Give yourself a few minutes, recruit a friend or girlfriend for help, get going and good luck!

Do They Have This Feature?

In each question, you’ll see four features - but only one is false… or only one is real. Read carefully. These aren’t trick questions - but they are precision questions.