ATM receipt disposal poses social engineering risks

Discarding ATM receipts in bins located near machines can pose a security risk due to social engineering tactics. While modern receipts typically mask PINs and full card details, they still contain sensitive data such as transaction dates, times, withdrawal amounts, specific ATM locations, and partial account or card information.

Fraudsters use these small pieces of information to build a more convincing profile of a victim. By combining data from multiple sources—such as a name from one place and banking details from a discarded receipt—scammers can execute highly effective social engineering attacks. For instance, a criminal can appear more legitimate by referencing a specific recent transaction or the exact bank used, making it easier to deceive individuals during fraudulent communications.