Banks like UBA Plc have put in place the best in class technology to stop cyber criminals from stealing the hard earned cash of customers, but customers need to be vigilant to ensure that they do not get duped. Banks can do little to protect a customer who negligently gives out his or her bank details to a fraudulent person.
All a cyber criminal usually need to be successful is the ATM
card details of a potential victim.
All a cyber criminal usually need to be successful is the ATM
card details of a potential victim.
ATM thieves have now stepped up
their game in line with advances in technology and use several tricks to steal
your hard earned cash. Two major tricks include;
their game in line with advances in technology and use several tricks to steal
your hard earned cash. Two major tricks include;
Card Skimming is a method used by criminals to
capture ATM card data from the magnetic stripe on the back of an ATM card. The
scammers try to steal the victim’s details so they can access his or her
accounts. Once scammers have skimmed the victim’s card details, they can create
a fake or ‘cloned’ card with the victim’s detail on it.
capture ATM card data from the magnetic stripe on the back of an ATM card. The
scammers try to steal the victim’s details so they can access his or her
accounts. Once scammers have skimmed the victim’s card details, they can create
a fake or ‘cloned’ card with the victim’s detail on it.
The criminal is then
able to run up charges on the victim’s account.
able to run up charges on the victim’s account.
Devices used for
card skimming are smaller than a deck of cards and are often fastened in close
proximity to, or over the top of the ATM’s factory-installed card reader. Once
a victim inserts his or her card into the machine, the details are then
captured by the false ATM device attached by the criminal.
card skimming are smaller than a deck of cards and are often fastened in close
proximity to, or over the top of the ATM’s factory-installed card reader. Once
a victim inserts his or her card into the machine, the details are then
captured by the false ATM device attached by the criminal.
PIN capturing
In pin capturing,
the criminal strategically attaches or positions cameras and other imaging
devices to ATMs to fraudulently capture PIN numbers of unsuspecting victims
trying to withdraw cash.
the criminal strategically attaches or positions cameras and other imaging
devices to ATMs to fraudulently capture PIN numbers of unsuspecting victims
trying to withdraw cash.
Some facts you should know about
skimming devices
skimming devices
Skimming devices are normally
attached to ATMs during quiet periods, especially early in the morning or late
evenings. Though, the length of time skimming devices are attached can vary,
but the criminals usually keep it attached for no longer than 24 hours, after
which they are removed and victims details harvested.
attached to ATMs during quiet periods, especially early in the morning or late
evenings. Though, the length of time skimming devices are attached can vary,
but the criminals usually keep it attached for no longer than 24 hours, after
which they are removed and victims details harvested.
For a criminal to
carry out successful card skimming, he or she requires both a card skimmer
(card reader) and camera (PIN capturing device) to be fitted to the ATM in
order to steal card data.
carry out successful card skimming, he or she requires both a card skimmer
(card reader) and camera (PIN capturing device) to be fitted to the ATM in
order to steal card data.
The
criminals may loiter nearby to observe customers and remove equipment after
machine use. However, the downloaded information can be transmitted wirelessly
to other devices held by the criminals.
criminals may loiter nearby to observe customers and remove equipment after
machine use. However, the downloaded information can be transmitted wirelessly
to other devices held by the criminals.
Tips on how not to become a victim
of ATM card skimming
of ATM card skimming
There are several ways to reduce the
chances of becoming a victim of ATM card skimming.
chances of becoming a victim of ATM card skimming.
Familiarize yourself with the look
and feel of the ATM key pad. Be alert for
scratches, marks, adhesive, unusual join marks anywhere on the ATM key pad and
any tape residue or sticky material on ATMs.
If you notice any of these signs on an ATM, do not use.
and feel of the ATM key pad. Be alert for
scratches, marks, adhesive, unusual join marks anywhere on the ATM key pad and
any tape residue or sticky material on ATMs.
If you notice any of these signs on an ATM, do not use.
Avoid using an ATM
machine that has its security cameras installed so close that it records your
PIN. If the camera is looking at how you input your pin in the ATM, do not use.
machine that has its security cameras installed so close that it records your
PIN. If the camera is looking at how you input your pin in the ATM, do not use.
Never use an ATM machine
when other people are loitering, hanging over your shoulders, or straining
their neck to see what you are doing. Do not accept help from strangers or even
bank security to retrieve an ATM card stuck in an ATM machine. If your card is
stuck, report to the bank. Be suspicious of any individual loitering in an
ATM lobby offering ‘assistance’ with PIN entry. Also never keep
a written copy of your PIN in your wallet or purse. The safest store for your
PIN is your head.
when other people are loitering, hanging over your shoulders, or straining
their neck to see what you are doing. Do not accept help from strangers or even
bank security to retrieve an ATM card stuck in an ATM machine. If your card is
stuck, report to the bank. Be suspicious of any individual loitering in an
ATM lobby offering ‘assistance’ with PIN entry. Also never keep
a written copy of your PIN in your wallet or purse. The safest store for your
PIN is your head.
Avoid using ATMs showing signs of tampering
like, card entry slot appears newer or older than the rest of the ATM,
awkwardly placed objects that obstruct access to the PIN pad or display screen,
such as a poorly placed pamphlet holder, sticky residue on PIN pad or card
entry slot, single ATM situated beside other ATMs displaying ‘out of order’
signage.
like, card entry slot appears newer or older than the rest of the ATM,
awkwardly placed objects that obstruct access to the PIN pad or display screen,
such as a poorly placed pamphlet holder, sticky residue on PIN pad or card
entry slot, single ATM situated beside other ATMs displaying ‘out of order’
signage.
Remember, ATM thieves, unlike armed
robbers do not carry guns. But their impact on your bank balance when they hit,
can be more devastating than armed robbers.
robbers do not carry guns. But their impact on your bank balance when they hit,
can be more devastating than armed robbers.
UBA has
one of the most elaborate IT infrastructure and secure ATM locations to stop
ATM thieves from taking your hard earned money.
However, the first line and only secure line of defence remains YOU the
card holder. So guide your ATM and online details jealously and be alert to the
tricks of ATM thieves.
one of the most elaborate IT infrastructure and secure ATM locations to stop
ATM thieves from taking your hard earned money.
However, the first line and only secure line of defence remains YOU the
card holder. So guide your ATM and online details jealously and be alert to the
tricks of ATM thieves.
This article was first published in the Lion King Magazine, an in-house publication of United Bank for Africa Plc
