Press this button after using an ATM to protect yourself from scams.

For many people, that’s the entire ATM routine. Yet one extra tap can stop thieves in their tracks.

Across Europe and the United States, ATM fraud keeps evolving, often taking advantage of distractions and brief moments of inattention. One of those moments happens right after you’ve taken your cash-when you think the transaction is over, but the machine may not fully agree.

Why That Last Button Press Matters More Than You Think

Most customers assume that once the bills come out, the ATM session ends on its own. In many cases, that’s true. Modern machines time out quickly, return your card, and reset. Older ATMs, machines in other countries, or machines experiencing a glitch can behave very differently.

On some networks-especially when you’re outside your home country-the interface may keep your session active for a few extra seconds or even offer another transaction before logging out. That brief window is exactly what opportunistic thieves look for.

Pressing the “Cancel” button after taking your cash forces the ATM to end your session, even if the machine hesitates.

If you walk away while the screen still shows your balance or offers more options, the next person in line may not need to hack anything. They might just step up and continue where you left off. On a busy street, that can happen in seconds.

Several European banks now advise customers to make “Cancel” the final step of every ATM visit, right after taking their card and cash. That advice applies just as well in the United States, the United Kingdom, or anywhere you use a card-based ATM.

How Scammers Exploit Unfinished ATM Sessions

Not all ATM scams involve sophisticated devices or malware. Some rely on simple timing and observation. Criminals often linger near busy ATMs, watching people rush through transactions.

The “Shoulder and Switch” Routine

A common scenario goes like this: a distracted person withdraws cash, pockets it, glances around, and leaves while the screen still shows the account menu. A scammer immediately steps in, acts like the machine is theirs, and quickly tries another withdrawal, bill payment, or transfer.

If the ATM hasn’t closed the session, they may have direct access to your account-limited only by the machine’s daily withdrawal limit. No skimmer, no cloned card-just your still-active session.

A live ATM session is as sensitive as an unlocked phone. Walking away without ending it hands control to whoever comes next.

Some banks add extra safeguards in their software, but behavior varies by machine model, network, and country. There’s no simple way to know how a specific ATM will handle glitches, lag, or power issues. The “Cancel” button is your universal off switch.

Building a Safer ATM Routine, Step by Step

That quick tap on “Cancel” should be part of a broader set of habits that reduce risk every time you withdraw cash. None require technical skills-just attention and a little skepticism.

Before You Insert Your Card

• Choose ATMs inside bank branches or in well-lit, monitored areas when possible.
• Avoid isolated machines late at night or machines hidden from the street.
• Look around for people lingering unusually close or pretending to stand in line without moving.

ATMs inside bank lobbies or supermarkets typically face fewer tampering attempts because staff, cameras, and security teams monitor them more closely.

Check the Machine for Signs of Tampering

A large share of ATM crime still involves physical hardware: fake card readers, tiny cameras, and altered keypad covers. The goal is to capture both your card data and the PIN you enter.

Before you start, physically inspect the front of the machine:

• Gently wiggle the card slot: it should feel solid and built-in, not like a clip-on piece.
• Check the keypad: a thick, loose, or mismatched cover may hide a fake overlay.
• Look for unusual plastic frames around the screen or above the keypad where a camera could be hidden.

If any part of the ATM looks crooked, moves when you touch it, or seems recently glued on, walk away and report it.

This type of fraud-often called skimming-lets criminals copy card details and pair them with a captured PIN. They can later create a cloned card or use the data for transactions in places where security checks differ.

During the Transaction

Once you decide to use an ATM, treat your PIN like cash. Anyone nearby trying to see it is a risk.

• Cover the keypad completely with your hand or wallet while typing.
• Save conversations and phone calls for later; focus on the screen.
• Refuse help from strangers who approach claiming they can “help” with the machine.

Criminals sometimes create distractions right as you enter your PIN: a dropped item, a question, a tap on the shoulder. The goal is to break your focus so someone can peek at the keypad or swap your card for a similar-looking one.

After You Get Your Cash

This is the often-missed step. The machine seems finished, your cash is in hand, and you feel ready to leave. Don’t rush.

Step	What to do
1	Take your card and briefly count your cash close to your body.
2	Check the screen: does it still show options or your balance?
3	Press “Cancel” firmly and wait for the welcome screen.
4	Only then step aside and put your money away discreetly.

Do not walk away while the ATM still shows menus, amounts, or account details. End the session yourself every time.

It can feel like a small, picky habit-until the day a slow network or malfunction keeps your session open. Then that single button press determines who controls your account for the next few seconds: you, or the person behind you.

Monitoring Your Account as a Second Line of Defense

Even the best ATM habits can’t guarantee perfect protection. Banks, card networks, and criminals constantly adjust. Reduce risk at the machine, then back it up by checking your account regularly.

Spotting Fraudulent Activity Early

A quick review of recent transactions every few days can limit damage. Many people first notice card fraud not through a dramatic withdrawal, but through a small, unusual charge that went unnoticed.

• Turn on real-time alerts for withdrawals and card purchases if your bank offers them.
• Pay close attention to small foreign-currency charges; they can be “test” transactions.
• Report anything suspicious immediately, even if the amount is small.

Banks often reimburse unauthorized withdrawals when customers act quickly and show reasonable care. Using secure ATMs, shielding your PIN, and ending your session by pressing “Cancel” can help demonstrate that care.

What to Do If an ATM Looks or Acts Strangely

Sometimes the strongest warning comes from the machine itself. Errors, swallowed cards, and odd messages don’t always mean fraud, but they should always trigger caution.

If the ATM:

• Won’t return your card after a normal transaction, stay at the machine and call your bank using the official number on the back of your card or in your banking app.
• Freezes or shows an unreadable error screen while your card is inside, do not accept help from bystanders claiming they can “reset” it.
• Asks for your PIN a second time without a clear reason, press “Cancel,” wait for your card, and stop the transaction.

If you suspect tampering, notify the bank branch (if it’s open) or contact customer service and, if needed, local police. A brief call can protect dozens of people who might otherwise use the same compromised ATM.

Why Cash Habits Still Matter in a Digital Payment World

Digital wallets, tap-to-pay cards, and instant transfers get most of the attention, but cash withdrawals still make up a meaningful share of daily spending in many places. For some people, cash isn’t a preference-it’s a necessity: small business owners, older customers, and workers paid partly in cash.

That mix keeps ATMs central to everyday finances, which is why criminals still view them as reliable targets. As chip-and-PIN closed off some opportunities, scams shifted toward social engineering, live-session takeovers, and cross-border skimming.

Pressing “Cancel” after each withdrawal may feel almost too basic. But many scams don’t require advanced tools-only a moment of inattention. A quick, nearly automatic routine at the machine-look, shield, check, cancel-closes those small gaps.

For families, making this a shared habit helps younger relatives or those less confident with technology. The next time you show someone how to use an ATM, don’t stop at “enter your PIN and take your cash.” Show them how to check the screen, press “Cancel,” and wait for the idle display before stepping away. That tiny pause is where many attempted frauds quietly fail.