Medium riskBank & Payment

ATM Card Trapping Scam

In this scam, a device hidden in the ATM traps your card so it appears stuck, while a nearby 'helpful' stranger watches your PIN or suggests re-entering it, then retrieves the trapped card after you leave.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
ATM tampering (card trapping)
Main red flag
Your card gets stuck in an ATM while a stranger offers help and watches your PIN.
What to do first
Do not re-enter your PIN; stay with the machine and call your bank to block the card.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a device hidden in the ATM traps your card so it appears stuck, while a nearby 'helpful' stranger watches your PIN or suggests re-entering it, then retrieves the trapped card after you leave.

Bank and payment scams weaponise your trust in your bank and your fear of losing money. They fake fraud alerts, blocked payments, or refunds, then steer you into moving money to a "safe account", sharing a one-time code, or approving a transfer, actions a genuine bank will never ask of you.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: Your card gets stuck in an ATM while a stranger offers help and watches your PIN. Do not re-enter your PIN; stay with the machine and call your bank to block the card.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Card Skimming Scam or the ATM Distraction Scam, browse the Bank & Payment Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

#1
copycat bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam in the US in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
£459.7M
lost to authorised push payment (APP) fraud in the UK in 2023
Source: UK Finance

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: Your card won't eject and a bystander says, 'That happened to me, try entering your PIN again.' They retrieve the trapped card once you walk away.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: Your card gets stuck in an ATM while a stranger offers help and watches your PIN.

Red flags to watch for

  • A card that gets stuck in the machine
  • A stranger offering help and watching the keypad
  • Suggestions to re-enter your PIN
  • Signs of tampering around the card slot
  • Pressure to step away from the ATM

What to do

  • Cover the keypad when entering your PIN
  • Do not re-enter your PIN if the card sticks
  • Stay with the machine and call your bank to block the card immediately
  • Use ATMs inside banks where possible and check for tampering

If you already clicked or replied

  • If your card was trapped, block it with your bank right away
  • Change your PIN once you have a new card
  • Review transactions and report anything unfamiliar
  • Report the tampered ATM to the bank and police

What not to do

  • Do not re-enter your PIN at a stuck machine
  • Do not accept help from strangers at the ATM
  • Do not leave before contacting your bank

Similar scams

Medium risk Bank & Payment

Card Skimming Scam

In a card skimming scam, criminals attach hidden devices to ATMs, fuel pumps, or shop card readers, often with a tiny camera or fake keypad, to copy your card details and PIN and later make fraudulent transactions or card clones.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Bank & Payment

ATM Distraction Scam

The ATM distraction scam happens at a cash machine when a stranger interrupts you at the moment you are entering your PIN or collecting your card and money. While your attention is pulled away, an accomplice may watch your PIN, swap your card for a similar-looking one, or grab cash from the tray. It relies on good timing and a friendly or urgent excuse, so staying focused at the machine is your strongest defence.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Bank & Payment

Contactless Card Theft Scam

This scam misuses contactless cards and mobile wallets, through theft, lost cards, or relayed taps, to make quick low-value payments or add a stolen card to a wallet before you notice and block it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

What is ATM card trapping?
A device hidden in the card slot traps your card so it seems stuck. The scammer retrieves it after you leave, often having watched your PIN.
A stranger offered to help. Is that safe?
Be cautious. Their suggestion to re-enter your PIN can expose it. Cover the keypad, decline help, and contact your bank.
My card is stuck. What should I do?
Stay with the machine, do not re-enter your PIN, and call your bank immediately to block the card. Report the ATM to the bank and police.
How can I stay safe at ATMs?
Use machines inside banks where possible, check for tampering, cover the keypad, and be wary of anyone hovering nearby.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.