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The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that carelessness at an ATM machine could lead to a case of identity theft.

“ATM skimming is when somebody puts a device onto a legitimate ATM machine and is trying to get your PIN number,” says Claire Rosenzweig, president and chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York. “They're trying to get your bank account information.”

Rosenzweig says such devices are getting harder and harder to detect.

“One way is that they put some kind of a device over the card-swipe mechanism. Another way is they can put false keyboard on top of the legitimate one,” she warns. “They can put cameras, which you can’t see, and all these devices which are really tampering with the machine are seamless.”

The BBB recommends some quick precautions to protect your debit card information from getting swiped.

“Protect your PIN number,” says Rosenzweig. “When you're plugging in your PIN number on a keyboard, put your hand over. Wiggle the swiping mechanism to see it's solid. Take a look at the keyboard just to see if anything doesn’t look right, feel right. If you’re traveling and you see an ATM machine that might be in an area that’s not so well lit or the machine doesn’t look like it’s in good repair, we would urge caution. Check your statements every month. Because if fraud has been committed even by doing all of your due diligence, the way you’re going to find out is to check your statements.”

And, if you see any discrepancy and fear you may have been a victim of identity theft, report fraudulent activity to the bank immediately.

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