Question 1

What is the "ATM Card Trapping and Skimming" scam in Prague?

Accepted Answer

Tampered ATMs in Prague's Old Town and near tourist hotels have been found fitted with card-trapping devices that retain the card inside the machine, alongside a PIN-capturing overlay on the keypad or a miniature camera hidden in the surround. After the victim walks away to seek help, an accomplice retrieves the trapped card. Skimming variants clone the card data and PIN silently without retaining the card, with fraudulent withdrawals appearing days later. Standalone ATMs not attached to a bank branch — particularly those on pedestrian side streets around Staroměstské náměstí — carry higher risk than in-branch machines. Use ATMs attached to a bank branch inside a lobby, not standalone street machines. Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. Wiggle the card reader before inserting — a skimmer overlay will feel loose. If your card is retained, call your bank immediately to freeze it before entering the branch. Enable real-time transaction alerts on your account.

Question 2

What is the "Currency Exchange Bad Rate Bureau" scam in Prague?

Accepted Answer

Exchange bureaus on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square advertise "0% commission, best rates" but apply a buy/sell spread that costs tourists up to 20% more than a bank ATM rate. Use Raiffeisenbank or Komerční banka ATMs for cash. Never exchange money at kiosk bureaus in tourist areas.

Money & ATM Scams in Prague

ATM Card Trapping and Skimming

Currency Exchange Bad Rate Bureau

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