Going to the ATM to withdraw money, check your balance or make a transfer is part of the routine of millions of Portuguese people. However, seemingly normal situations can hide discreet but effective scams. One of the most frequent cases is that of the card that suddenly gets stuck in the machine. In these moments, there is a little-known Multibanco button that can prevent your bank account from being compromised.
A common pitfall in ATMs
According to Banco de Portugal, one of the most common scams at Multibanco terminals involves the placement of devices that block the card inside the machine. When the victim tries to remove it without success, someone approaches to “help” and, taking advantage of the moment of distraction, observes the PIN code or replaces the card with an identical one.
When the user realizes what happened, the fraudster can now have access to the account and carry out unauthorized operations. This type of fraud is especially common in busy places, such as shopping centers, stations or tourist areas.
The button that can block the card
Some ATM machines have a little-known security feature. If the user keeps the “Cancel” button pressed for more than five seconds, the operation is canceled and the card is automatically blocked.
Temporary blocking prevents the card from being used until further authorization from the bank, which can prevent significant losses.
This feature is active mainly on newer terminal models and can be especially useful when the screen does not respond, the reading time is too long or the machine’s usual sound cannot be heard. In these cases, the recommendation is to immediately stop the operation and contact the bank via the support number.
What should you do if you suspect
According to Banco de Portugal, whenever fraud is suspected, the cardholder must contact the bank as quickly as possible to block the card and check whether improper transactions have been made.
Even when there are no confirmed withdrawals or transfers, it is important to report the attempt to the authorities. The complaint can be made to the PSP, GNR or Judiciary Police, so that the cases can be investigated and registered.
The financial supervisor also emphasizes that “you should never accept help from strangers at an ATM”, even if the approach seems cordial. Most scams occur precisely when there is a second person present at the site, disguised as a common user.
Information as the best defense
The lack of knowledge about these simple measures continues to be one of the factors that most favor fraudsters. The gesture of keeping the “Cancel” button pressed may seem insignificant, but it can make the difference between a setback and serious damage.
According to , the dissemination of good security practices has been a priority for financial institutions, especially during periods of greater use of ATMs, such as summer or festive seasons.
Avoiding distractions, protecting the PIN with your hand and being wary of machines with visible changes, such as misaligned slots or overlapping readers, are other recommended measures.
Small gestures, big differences
Although there is no public data on how many frauds have been prevented using this method, banks confirm that its use has increased. It is a simple, free measure that is within the reach of all users.
The truth is that security at Multibanco starts with being in everyone’s hands. And sometimes, all it takes is knowing the right button to prevent a routine moment from turning into a huge loss.
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