All of us like the concept of being able to travel without having to carry lots of cash or go to the bank and get travelers' checks. However, according to a recent AOL Business alert, scammers are now targeting automated teller machines, commonly known as ATMs.

The idea is not to steal your ATM card, just the information on it, says Mike Urban, a security expert interviewed by Martha White of walletpop.com. Urban says when people travel either on business or pleasure, they tend to go to tourist areas. These are the same areas with many transient types and where criminals see a real opportunity.

So preserving our ATM information and staying safe is vitally important. I experienced an alarming situation while traveling in Germany, where an ATM machine literally kept my card. More on that later.

Safety steps

Here is what to do to protect yourself, your financial information and the integrity of your bank account:
• First, if something looks odd at an ATM machine, stay away from it. If you see hand-lettered signs asking you to enter your personal information number several times, or if the front of the machine appears to be damaged, find another machine.

Recently we read of scammers who actually put small transmitters on gasoline pumps where cards were scanned. The information was sent wirelessly to a laptop computer. If anything looks askew at the machine, forgo it and find another. Report the problem to the bank if there is a toll-free number on the machine — assuming, of course, the number has not been altered.

• Second, if you go to a branch of your bank and the machine looks markedly different than the one you are familiar with, be suspicious. You could be looking at a machine that has been altered. It's best to simply walk away and find another machine. If you see an unfamiliar device on these machines, it could be a transmitter or collector that scammers are using to capture your information, Urban says.

• Third, if the machine is not in a well-lit area, avoid it. We should all be sensitive to this one. Snatch-and-grab thieves are common in these locations. Just as you get your money from the machine, the thief appears, threatens you, then grabs and runs away with your money.

Guard those numbers

Keep your bank's service number and your account number written down in a safe place. That protects you and allows you to have the card ready when needed. If you can't retrieve your card from the ATM, you can call the bank immediately to have it canceled. That's what we did on the Germany trip, and it gave us great peace of mind.

It's a good idea to monitor bank accounts online when you travel because of the threat of card numbers being stolen at a restaurant or hotel. If you see suspicious activity on your account, call your bank immediately and cancel the card.

Issuer notifications

Many card companies allow you to set up e-mail or telephone notification alerts. For example, you can set a spending limit per transaction. If the amount exceeds the limit, the card company will immediately notify you and ask if it is your approved charge.

Issuers can also suspend your account temporarily if they see or suspect something amiss. That seems inconvenient, but I was thankful years ago when American Express called inquiring if I had purchased $2,500 in silverware to be sent to the local bus station. Because the credit card company was on top of the situation immediately, police busted the scammer at the station.
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Small business owners and travelers must continually be sensitive to the possibility that scammers are out there and want this information. Being skeptical is just today's way of life. Take the steps necessary to protect your assets.

Dr. L. Darryl Armstrong is a communications and management consultant and a certified aggression management trainer. He can be reached at drdarryl@aol.com or 1-888-340-2006 or www.armstrongandassociates.org.