A piece shaking in the ATM slot, or a fitting out of place, is not a detail to ignore. In recommendations to the public, Banco de Portugal highlights changes in the appearance of the terminal as a warning before using the card.
The scam associated with the “loose part” tends to exploit the same sequence: the user approaches, tries to use the equipment despite its strange appearance and, then, the card is retained without a clear explanation. From then on, the objective is often to create pressure on the spot, with distractions or unsolicited “help”, to gain time and information.
What to look for before inserting the card
In a situation like this, the focus is on the groove itself. Abnormal clearances, a misaligned frame, lifted plastic, wobbly parts, signs of damage or a fitting that appears to have been added are signs that, in official guidelines, appear associated with the possibility of alteration of the equipment.
It also helps to save some details of the moment, such as the location of the terminal and the approximate time, and, when available, the identification number of the equipment that is usually displayed on the ATM. This information can be useful when contacting the bank, to describe the incident accurately and make it easier to confirm what happened.
When there are doubts about the status of the terminal, the safest approach is simple: do not carry out the operation on that equipment and look for another one. The rationale is to prevent the card from entering a terminal that may have been manipulated to prevent it from leaving or to create an incident that traps the user in the location.
Even if the cause is just breakdown, the practical risk is the same at the moment. By moving forward “just to see if it’s possible”, the margin of control decreases, especially if the card is captured and the situation requires a quick and non-improvised response.
If the card is withheld: how to react without falling into the trap
According to information provided on the official Banco de Portugal website, if the terminal retains the card, the information to the customer indicates that the equipment must present the reason for the capture; When this does not happen, or when the message raises doubts, the next step is to immediately contact the issuing entity. In the same set of alerts, a direct warning is left for this type of scenario: do not accept help from third parties to recover the card.
To reduce vulnerabilities at that moment, there is one gesture that continues to be decisive: protecting the PIN entry from other people’s eyes. The guidance involves marking the code in privacy, covering the keyboard, precisely to prevent an incident at the terminal from becoming an exposure of the card’s most sensitive data.
Without going into operational details, the essential thing is to cut off interaction with the terminal and the surrounding environment. A loose part may just be a visual sign, but the greater risk arises when the situation evolves into card retention and attempts to convince the user to repeat operations, wait “a little longer” or follow on-site instructions.
After suspicion: steps to limit losses
If the card is lost, stolen, misappropriated or suspected of misuse, the information provided to the customer leads to immediate notification to the issuer; prior to such communication, in principle, liability for unauthorized operations may reach a maximum of 50 euros, with exceptions in cases of fraudulent action or gross negligence.
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