9 ways to be safe at ATMs
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4. Avoid using ATMs at night. While robberies are less prevalent than fraud at ATMs, there's still risk, especially at night.

"If you're using the ATM at 2 o'clock in the morning in a desolated area, you're making yourself vulnerable and more susceptible to an attack than if you went at 5 o'clock in the afternoon," Kitten says.

And if you have to use an ATM late at night, patronize one at a bank or credit union.

"Financial institutions have to follow certain guidelines and regulations as far as lighting is concerned. They also have cameras on all the ATMs," Kitten says. "A (bank's) ATM is more secure."

5. Be aware of your surroundings. Before you slide your card into the machine, look around. Does the area appear safe? Is there anybody who can see the PIN pad?

"Always be careful and know your whereabouts," Sorrentino says. "Make sure you complete the transaction."

A good rule of thumb is to always shield your card, no matter how comfortable you are with the place.

6. Keep your receipts and card on your person. Consumers know that many ATMs don't reveal the entire account number and often discard receipts in the garbage next to the machine. That's a very dangerous practice.

Before you leave the machine, make sure you have your card. As much as 83 percent of all ATM and debit fraud results from stolen cards, the TowerGroup says.

7. Check your financial institution's protection plans. Many banks place a cap on ATM withdrawals and build customer profiles to protect you from fraudulent activity. If a person's card was used outside of the normal area, for example, some banks would call the customer to verify the transaction's authenticity.

8. Memorize your PIN. This is a no-brainer, but the reality is many cardholders walk up to an ATM and pull out a piece of paper containing four numbers.

"You especially don't want to keep your PIN, Social Security card and ATM card all together in your wallet," Kitten says. "If someone comes up and hits you over the head, they're going to have all your information right there."

9. Don't provide information via e-mail. TowerGroup says 3.5 percent of ATM and point-of-sale debit fraud originates from phishing e-mails. Phishers attempt to obtain information about your bank account by asking for your PIN, account number and personal information. Much like ATM skimming equipment, these e-mails appear legit. If you click on a link, you will be sent to a Web site that looks exactly like the one the phishers are imitating.

The Federal Trade Commission says reputable companies do not ask for information through e-mail. If you receive one of these e-mails, inform the organization. And if you believe your accounts have been compromised, inform your financial institution and cancel the account.