I know about ATM skimmers, and in general I know they are a bad thing. What I didn't know is that their use across the globe and throughout the US is dramatically on the rise. If you aren't familiar with ATM skimmers, they are a ATM/credit card reader that fit over the card slot on an ATM and read and record your ATM card number. Often times, the skimmer is used in conjunction with a camera that records your PIN number. Together, the skimmer and the camera give high-tech crooks complete access to your bank account. Yikes!

Granted, card skimmers seem like science fiction or part of some crime drama on television, but they are cropping up more and more often. In fact, The Consumerist, Gizmodo, and several local news outlets are reporting that a card skimmers are showing up in alarming rates. There have been multiple ATM card skimmers found in California, Colorado, in Australia, Ireland, and Israel. This is just not good.

So, stop using ATM's; try using cash back on a debit card purchase at a supermarket. Or, if you must use an ATM, look for improperly fitting card slots, odd lighting, ATM error messages, or unusual camera locations. If you do get an error message on an ATM or if you have difficulty getting your card out of the slot, call your bank immediately. If you suspect a card skimmer, call your bank or local police and have them investigate. But like I said, the best bet is to simply avoid the ATM altogether.