ATM Card PIN theft: Pressing cancel twice will not help; check effective ways to avoid fraud

In the past few days, a fake post attributed to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been making rounds on the internet, claiming that if you press ‘cancel’ twice on an ATM before a transaction, it can prevent Debit Card PIN theft.

The claim made in the social media post was fake and never issued by the RBI, PIB Fact Check said on X on Wednesday, May 6, 2025.

“A post falsely attributed to @RBI claims that pressing 'cancel' twice on an ATM before a transaction can prevent PIN theft,” PIB Fact Check said, adding, “This statement is FAKE & has NOT been issued by RBI.”

PIB further asked readers to keep their transactions secure and conduct their fund transfers in private.

What happens if you press the cancel button twice

If you press the cancel button twice, or even once, before a transaction, then your transaction will be cancelled. You will then have to restart the transaction from the beginning. This will give a fraudster, who might be standing behind you, more time to get your card details, including the PIN.

How to avoid ATM card PIN theft

Nowadays, ATM PIN thieves and fraudsters have become very creative with their strategies, aiming to deceive people and access their funds in the most believable ways. A scammer can use both digital and physical methods to make you reveal your PIN.

ATM fraud is very common these days. Let’s take a look at some effective ways you can avoid ATM card PIN theft, as per banking websites:

• Remember your ATM PIN and do not write it down anywhere.
• Do not share the PIN with anyone—not even with friends and family.
• Change PIN regularly and avoid using easily guessable numbers like your/your family member’s birthday or consecutive ascending digits (like 12345).
• Check the ATM for any unusual devices like an attachment on the card slot or keypad—these can be used to steal your card information through skimming and hidden cameras.
• Activate SMS and email alerts for ATM transactions so you will get an alert in case of unauthorised activity.
• If you lose a card, report it immediately and block the card.
• If your card gets stuck or in case of an error, don’t let any stranger help you—contact your bank.
• Before moving away from your ATM, press the cancel button and remember to take your card.
• If you see anyone standing by your shoulder, use your hand to shield the PIN while entering it.
• Take the transaction slip and shred it after use.
• Check your bank statements regularly to ensure that all transactions are known to you. In case you spot unauthorised transactions, report them to your bank.