32 Common Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them Like a Pro

2. The “Helpful” ATM Assistant

Navigating an unfamiliar ATM can be stressful, and scammers take full advantage of this by offering unsolicited “help.” A stranger, often posing as a bank employee or just a friendly local, will offer assistance, claiming the ATM is tricky to use or warning you about potential card problems. They might suggest you try entering your PIN multiple times, press certain buttons, or even discreetly position themselves to see your PIN as you enter it. In worse cases, they’ll distract you just long enough for an accomplice to grab your cash as it’s dispensed. Some scammers will even use sleight of hand to swap out your card. How to Avoid It: Never accept ATM assistance from strangers, no matter how helpful they seem. Always use ATMs inside banks, shopping malls, or well-lit, secure areas. Cover your PIN when entering it, and if an ATM appears suspicious, find another one. If someone is hovering too close, cancel your transaction and walk away.