“This Is Not New”: FNB Warns SA ATM Users of Card Swapping Scam
- FNB issued a warning to South African customers about a tactic called ‘card swapping’ at ATMs
- Criminals distract victims at ATMs, swap their real bank card for a fake one, and already know their PIN
- Banks say the scam can involve groups of people working together to pull off the theft in seconds
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South African banks are raising the alarm about a brazen ATM scam that has been doing the rounds, and a TikTok post by current news content creator EJV on 19 August 2026 has brought the warning to a much wider audience.
FNB is cautioning customers about a trick known as “card swapping,” where criminals replace a victim’s real bank card with a near-identical decoy in a matter of seconds, all while the person at the ATM has no idea anything has happened.
How the card swapping scam works
The method relies on distraction. A criminal approaches someone at an ATM, either offering unsolicited help or creating a diversion. While the victim’s attention shifts, the criminal uses sleight of hand to pocket the genuine card and slip a look-alike into their hand or back into the machine slot.
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The situation becomes far more dangerous when paired with “shoulder surfing,” a practice where another person watches closely as the victim enters their PIN. By the time the victim walks away, the criminal has both the card and the code needed to drain the account.
Capitec has also flagged that this is rarely a solo operation. Criminals often work in coordinated groups, with one person handling the distraction while another carries out the swap.
What makes card swapping particularly effective is that it sidesteps the technology banks have put in place to combat traditional skimming. Chip-and-PIN upgrades and fraud monitoring systems have made older methods far less viable, but distraction is something no software can fully prevent.
How to protect yourself at an ATM
FNB advises customers to cover their PIN at all times, regardless of who is nearby. Never hand your bank card to another person, even someone who presents themselves as a bank official or a helpful bystander.
Being mindful of anyone standing unusually close is equally important. If something feels off, cancel the transaction immediately and move to a safer location. After every ATM visit, check that the card in your possession is actually yours, and keep a close eye on your banking app for any transactions you do not recognise.
Watch EJV’s TikTok post about the card swapping warning:
More stories involving MTN
- FNB introduced a new R25 monthly fee for business customers getting statements by email.
- The outage tracking website, Downdetector, showed a massive incline in FNB services not working correctly.
- South African entrepreneur Banele Rewo challenged FNB to collaborate with his youth-owned sneaker brand, Squad, in a viral Instagram video.
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Source: Briefly News
