LETTER: Watch out for ATM scams

Dear Editor, 

I have a message for readers: be very careful when using your bank cards at ATMs. There seems to be new activity by thieves who manage to switch your good card for a bogus one.

A recent example happened at an ATM in Lévis to a friend of mine who was having difficulty depositing a cheque. A man came to her side and offered to help. He took her card, despite her protest, put it into the machine and took her cheque. When she yelled, “Hey, give that to me!” he gave her the card, but was going to leave with the cheque. When she said, “Give me my cheque!’’ he handed it to her and left.

The ATM was in a branch of the bank. My friend went to the counter to deposit the cheque and handed it, with the bank card, to the clerk. When he processed the transaction, the card was not hers. Furthermore, a withdrawal of $1,000 had just been made from her account. The bank cancelled her stolen card immediately and told my friend she would be reimbursed and that she would receive a new card in the mail within three days.

How much could have been stolen from her account had she not gone immediately to deposit her cheque at the counter?

This happened at an ATM, but It could happen in stores, restaurants or anywhere else credit or debit cards are used. Please be vigilant. If you are a senior, bring someone with you.

Bill Cox*

Quebec City 

*The writer is a former QCT contributing writer and columnist