Bank expert offers tips on fighting skimming at ATMs

As ATM skimming scams increase in frequency, the Washington Post interviewed Jonathan Velline, senior vice president for ATM banking at Wells Fargo, ontips to avoid skimming scams.

Velline says users should look for anything out of the ordinary if it is an ATM they use regularly. Does the machine usually have flashing lights, is the slot loose, are the buttons on the keypad normally the same color or different colors, is a wire visible? Customers should trust their instincts and if something feels wrong, don't use the ATM and contact authorities.

Another important tip Velline offers is for customers to shield their PINs as they enter them by using their non-typing hands. Many skimmers use cameras to record a customer entering the PIN. By obscuring it, customers can thwart one of the most popular skimming methods. And bank statements should be checked regularly to look for any unusual activity.