Card Skimming Attacks Across the US

• The most common method of skimming is a technique called Deep Insert Skimming (sometimes referred to as M3 or D3 skimming). This method applies to both motorized and DIP card readers. Prevention requires specific hardware countermeasures on the ATM. Deep Insert Skimming is prevalent because many ATMs in the USA are not protected against this specific form of skimming

• Card skimming is not a viable attack against chip cards. Skimming losses can be prevented by card issuers who decline all fallback (magnetic stripe) transaction authorization requests from chip cards. Most card issuers outside the USA already decline magnetic stripe transactions, leading to a sharp decline in card skimming outside the US.

• Card skimming is also not a viable attack against contactless chip cards. Cards that are tapped at the ATM instead of inserted cannot be skimmed. NCR Atleos recommends enabling contactless transactions and encourages financial institutions to educate and incentivize cardholders to use tap instead of inserting their cards.

• NCR Atleos strongly recommends implementing comprehensive skimming protection for all ATMs in the US. This includes adding Deep Insert Skimming protection to ATMs that already have fascia skimming protection.

• Enable contactless transactions and educate cardholders to use tap instead of inserting cards.

Additional ATMIA member resources to help mitigate your risk.

• Preventing ATM Skimming & Card Data Compromise (Version 3): https://www.atmia.com/resource-library/
• ATM Security Resource Library: https://www.atmia.com/resource-library/
• Industry Report: CCMIS 2025 Q1 Crime Trends Report
• Webinar: 360 Degree View of ATM Crime
• Training: ATM Security Training Course
• Committees: Join our security-focused committees that meet quarterly.
  • The ATM Criminal Activity Forum’s next meeting is Thursday, May 1st.

We encourage you to report any incidents you may encounter in our Global ATM Crime Database. Reports can be done anonymously and will help the global ATM community stay informed.