Deb Schroeder, Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
ATM robberies often occur after the patron has completed their transaction. Always have your head up and be aware of your surroundings when you leave the ATM. If you feel or sense someone is following you, walk or drive to the nearest business where there are a lot of people and call the police.
If you lose or misplace or have your ATM card stolen, notify the card issuer immediately. If you report an ATM card missing before it is used without your permission, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) says the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized withdrawals. If unauthorized use occurs before you report it, the amount that you can be held responsible for depends on how quickly you report the loss to the card issuer. For example, if you report the loss within two business days after you realize your card is missing, you will not be responsible for more than $50 for unauthorized use. If you do not notify the card issuer within two business days, you could be held responsible for up to $500 for unauthorized use. If within 60 days after your bank statement is mailed to you, you do not report an unauthorized transfer or withdrawal, you risk total loss of funds.
Make sure that you carefully check your bank account statements each and every month as well as credit card statements. Make sure that you can identify every transaction as a transaction that you are responsible for making. If there are any transactions that are in question, call the card issuer as soon as possible to get more details and determine if you are responsible for the transaction.
Not only is it to protect your ATM transactions. Everyone is encouraged to protect their credit and identity. Learn more about how to protect your identity by requesting a copy of the NebFact AProtect Your Credit and Identity@ (NF 04-538) from your local Cooperative Extension office or by visiting the web at http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/consumered/nf538.htm.
If your child has an ATM card, take time this week to discuss these security tips. Then go to unlforfamilies.unl.edu, click on TIPS and Feedback and let us know what you think.
