Bank officials warn that ATM dangers lurk during holiday shopping season

While holiday shoppers are busily searching store after store for the perfect gifts for loved ones, Bank of America offers the following tips to guard against fraud and crime during this busy season.

If credit cards, an ATM card or personal checks are lost or stolen, report the loss as soon as possible to your financial institution or card issuer.

Sign the back of your credit cards as well as your ATM card, if you haven’t already done so.

Check to be sure you have your own credit card after paying for goods and services at stores, restaurants and other locations. Sometimes busy clerks or waiters return another person’s card by mistake. It always pays to check the name on the card.

Keep receipts as a record of your purchases; don’t leave them at stores or throw them away in public wastebaskets. When you use your ATM card at an ARM, or to pay for purchases at a retailer that accepts the card, don’t leave transaction receipts behind. Take them with you.

Keep your ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN) a secret. Memorize this number. Do not write your PIN on your ATM card or leave it in your wallet.

When shopping or using an ATM late at night, be especially aware of your surroundings. If you see anything suspicious near at ATM, consider using another machine or returning at another time.

Never give anyone a signed, blank check to pay for a purchase. Always be sure to write in the dollar amount yourself.

Bank of America urges everyone to take these simple precautions during the busy holiday season and throughout the year.