The Lebanese Loop

I'm already paranoid about using my ATM card as it is. I was ripped off twice by those machines owned and operated by individuals and placed in convenience stores. The first time it happened while I was a POOR single mom. I used the ATM in the Px and the effing machine shorted me $20. May not seem like a lot, but back then it really really was. The second time I was ripped off was down the street at the Haji Mart. Effer who owned the machine gave me the run around. So, I finally called my bank and got my money back.

Never EVER again will I use a machine that isn't operated by a reputable (ok, I know that is sort of like calling criminals upstanding citizens, but you know what I mean) bank. I just won't do it.

Then, I saw some thing on one of those TV news magazines about how just anyone can get an ATM and operate it. Criminals were buying them and Poof, Average Joe was handing this guy all your banking information and access to your checking account. Uh, no thank you.

Now, I read about Odd Todd's Lebanese Loop experience. Apparently, according to Odd Todd, ATM Skimmers or Lebanese Loops are devices used to steal your ATM card or the information on it, as well as the Personal Identification Number (PIN) associated with that card. One type of skimmer is a thin, transparent-plastic overlay on an ATM keypad that captures keystrokes as they are typed while another transparent device inside the card slot captures data from the magnetic strip on the inserted card. Other skimmers are larger and fit over the entire face of the ATM.

Great, like I didn't have enough to be paranoid about already.