At the cash machine, your money is not the only thing at stake.
A tiny, often ignored button can protect your entire account.
As card fraud rises and ATMs age, a simple reflex at the end of a withdrawal can block scammers from quietly stepping in after you and draining your balance. Many seasoned travellers know the trick. Plenty of everyday users still do not.
The hidden risk after you take your cash
For most people, the danger at an ATM seems obvious: someone watching your PIN, or a thief waiting nearby. Yet one of the biggest vulnerabilities appears after the cash has been dispensed, when you think the job is done and your guard drops.
On newer ATMs in many countries, including the UK, US and France, the machine is designed to end the session automatically once your notes are released or your card is ejected. On older models or in some foreign networks, that safety net does not always work perfectly.
Leaving the ATM without properly closing your session can give the next person full access to your account for a few seconds or even longer.
In busy tourist areas, fraudsters are known to lurk nearby, waiting for distracted users who are juggling bags, children or phones. They rely on people walking away too fast, assuming the machine has already reset.
The button that can save your account
The protective move is surprisingly basic: once your operation is finished and you have your card and your cash, press the “Cancel” button before leaving the keypad.
Pressing “Cancel” at the end of every ATM transaction forces the machine to close your session and return to the home screen.
This manual step matters for three reasons:
- It overrides glitches: if the ATM software freezes or lags, you do not depend on it to end the session for you.
- It blocks the next user: anyone arriving seconds later sees only the main menu, not your account.
- It creates a habit: once it becomes automatic, you are protected even on unfamiliar or older machines abroad.
In Spain, for instance, banks have run awareness campaigns urging customers to press “Cancelar” after every withdrawal. The principle is identical on ATMs across Europe, North America and Asia: that red or yellow “Cancel” key is your emergency exit.
➡️ After 220 years of investigation, science finally unmasks a legendary criminal
➡️ The genius trick to stop eggs sticking to the pan without butter or water
➡️ Weather: storm alert as 61 French departments face lightning risk this weekend
➡️ The Epstein-Barr virus may play a key role in autoimmune diseases
➡️ 3,000 liters of hot water a day: Tinkerer needs no electricity, oil or gas
➡️ If you’re over 60, this is the kind of rest your brain seeks
➡️ While He Thought He’d Struck Gold, An Australian Was Holding A Fragment Of The Solar System
Other smart habits that keep ATMs safe
The “Cancel” button is a useful shield, but it should sit inside a wider routine of basic ATM hygiene. Criminals use several overlapping techniques, from old-fashioned shoulder surfing to sophisticated card cloning.
Choosing the right machine
Not all ATMs offer the same level of security. Your first decision is where you withdraw.
- Favour machines inside bank branches or lobbies, especially during opening hours. Staff, cameras and regular checks deter scammers.
- Avoid isolated outdoor ATMs late at night, particularly those on quiet side streets or with poor lighting.
- Be wary of temporary or stand-alone machines at events, festivals or bars, where oversight can be limited.
A quick look around also matters. If people seem to be loitering directly beside the machine without using it, or watching each transaction closely, trust your instinct and move on.
Shielding your PIN from prying eyes
Your four digits are the key to your account. Without the PIN, a stolen or cloned card is far less useful to a criminal.
Always cover the keypad with your free hand while you type, even if you are convinced no one is looking.
That simple gesture protects you from:
- Shoulder surfers casually glancing over your arm.
- Hidden cameras placed above or beside the keypad to capture your PIN.
- Accomplices in queues trying to memorise your code before staging a distraction and stealing your card.
Choose a PIN that is not linked to your birthday, address or a repeated pattern on the keypad, and never share it with friends or relatives “just for one withdrawal”.
Spotting skimming and tampered machines
Skimming is a technique where criminals attach extra devices to capture your card data as you insert it. Often, a small camera or fake keypad is added to grab your PIN at the same time.
| Sign to check | What it can mean |
|---|---|
| Loose or bulky card slot | Possible skimming device clipped over the reader |
| Keypad looks raised or different colour | Fake keypad installed on top of the real one |
| Unusual plastic frame or second front panel | False façade hiding cameras or wiring |
| Visible glue, tape or misaligned parts | Hastily fitted equipment, often installed overnight |
If anything on the ATM moves when you tug it gently, or if the card slot feels unnatural, stop the operation, press “Cancel”, and walk away.
Keeping track: your statements are an alarm system
Even the most cautious user can be targeted. That is why the next layer of defence sits on your phone or laptop, not at the wall outside your bank.
Regularly checking your bank statements helps you spot suspicious withdrawals or payments before they spiral.
Look for small test transactions, such as low-value withdrawals or unfamiliar online purchases. Fraudsters sometimes start with these to check whether the card works before attempting larger sums.
If your bank app allows it, activate instant alerts for cash withdrawals or international payments. A notification arriving when you are at home and your card is in your wallet is a strong signal something is wrong.
What to do if something feels off
When an ATM behaves strangely – rejecting your PIN repeatedly, freezing on a screen, or holding your card – do not keep trying for “just one more attempt”.
- Press the “Cancel” button.
- Step aside and call your bank using the number on the back of your card or from their official app.
- If your card is swallowed, wait to see whether the machine returns it before you leave the area.
Where you suspect tampering, inform the bank branch if it is open, or contact the ATM operator. In some countries, the police also encourage users to report suspicious devices directly.
If money has been taken fraudulently from your account after an ATM visit, most regulations in Europe and many in the US require banks to refund customers when they have acted with reasonable care. That includes shielding your PIN, not writing it on the card, and reacting quickly once you notice unusual activity.
Real‑life scenarios: how scams play out
Two frequent setups show why closing your session and keeping your routine strict makes such a difference.
The distracted tourist
A traveller in a foreign city withdraws cash at a busy outdoor ATM. The machine hands over the money, shows a confirmation message, but lags instead of returning to the home screen. Rushing to meet friends, the tourist grabs the notes and walks off.
Seconds later, a fraudster steps up, sees the open session and immediately initiates a new withdrawal, using the same account. No card needed, no PIN asked again. A quick press on “Cancel” by the original user would have shut that opportunity down completely.
The card trap
In another scheme, criminals tamper with the slot so the card does not return. Panicked, the victim moves aside to call the bank. A supposed “helper” appears, sometimes pretending to be a customer, sometimes posing as staff, asking them to try entering the PIN “one last time”.
If a hidden camera or fake keypad is in place, the scammers get both card and code. A strong rule of thumb: if your card is trapped, press “Cancel”, stop typing your PIN, and deal only with official support through known contact numbers.
Why cash still attracts criminals
Even with contactless payments and mobile wallets gaining ground, cash withdrawals remain a huge part of everyday transactions in many countries. That volume keeps ATMs interesting for organised crime and low-level opportunists alike.
Fraud is also shifting rather than disappearing. As banks tighten controls on online transfers, some gangs return to physical cash machines, where human error and distraction can still be exploited. That is why small, consistent habits – like pressing “Cancel”, choosing secure locations and scanning for tampering – can make such a difference across millions of withdrawals every day.
For anyone managing money in an unfamiliar city, supporting elderly relatives, or teaching teenagers how to handle their first bank cards, these habits are worth passing on. A simple thumb on the right button at the right moment can be the line between a routine withdrawal and a lengthy call with the fraud department.
Originally posted 2026-02-04 21:09:45.