Jitter

Jitter means a protection from scamming technique that allows to distort a data capture from the magnetic strip. That’s why the card reverses the speed and movement during the transactions with a card reader or ATM. The purpose of a jitter is quite simple: rendering the information unreadable for fraudsters devices (called skimmers). As a result, data becomes unusable for tricksters. 

Essence of a Jitter

Any cardholder is able to face the vanishing of their financial facilities from the accounts. PIN code was known only by the card user, but recently the transaction has been held through the ATM. Most likely, the fact is that thieves spied on the card's data with the help of a skimmer - these devices have been advancing since the time of its creation. 

Jitter is an effective way to combat skimming, which is considered one of the various methods of fraudulent activities with bank cards’ numbers. The skimming process contemplates cloning information by the trickster while the other person inserts a card. So that numbers are copied. Then money in a bank account is missing, as a fraudster withdraws all the finances. 

Therefore, a jitter is used to prevent such deceitful practices. It protects a card from reading by reversing its speed and changing the movement. A majority of skimmers require smoother card input, and, as a result, cannot identify the data because of stutting. 

Applying jitters might cause problems in view of their availability mostly in ATMs, but not while dipping cards manually. Thus, these swiping techniques contemplate usage of jitters, although not so often. 

Jitter is not able to eliminate the copying of credit and debit cards’ data completely, but it helps to reduce its percentage. Basically, banks are trying to install anti-skimming devices on all ATMs, in order to cut down the likelihood of information theft.

Jitter in a fast-paced safety environment

Due to the decades of jitter’s appliance, the technique has become less efficient in our rapidly developing world. So skimmers are designed with forward-thinking. Fraudsters have also adapted to the new conditions and started using devices that are installed inside ATM card readers. This type of fraud is called "shimming". It is a thin flexible board that performs the same functions as a skimmer. 

Notably, back in 2012, BankInfoSecurity had already mentioned the lack of jitter’s efficiency. However, there were no other more advanced or analogue methods. Moreover, the source made reference to limited applicability of a jitter, as the technique didn’t and still doesn’t assume inserting a card manually. In addition, bank employees have to deal with skimming devices more and more often. And the scammer strategies are becoming more sophisticated.

Therefore, the following rules can be practiced, in order not to lose your monetary means:

1. Use the ATMs that are located directly in bank branches or other protected institutions. It is better to look for ATMs with a jitter or other anti-skimmers. 
2. Before inserting a card into an ATM, inspect it.
3. Do not disclose your PIN code to the third parties.
4. Do not store the card data on public devices.
5. If the card is lost, immediately call the bank to block it.
6. Check payment information regularly in banking apps.
7. Issue cards only with a chip.
8. Set a limit on the issue of funds per day and per operation.