\nATM Skimming happens when thieves attach devices onto ATMs in order to copy a credit-or-debit-card number, the information on the magnetic strip and even your personal identification number.\n<\/p>\n
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\nA fraudster can benefit from ATM Skimming by creating a cloned card that can be used in an ATM or at a POS terminal. For using in the POS Terminal, only the magnetic strip info is required, whereas for using in an ATM, the fraudster will need the PIN also.\n<\/p>\n
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\nThus there are two critical components involved in ATM Skimming : a device on the card-reader slot to obtain the magnetic strip information from the card; and either a camera or a pin-pad device on the existing pin-pad to obtain the PIN.\n<\/p>\n
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\nMeasures recommended to be taken by Banks:<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
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\nVideo Surveillance<\/b> \u2013 Invaluable and effective in monitoring, post-complaint investigation. Also acts as a deterrent of impulsive offenders.\n<\/p>\n
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\nService Technicians \/ CIT Agents Regular Review<\/strong> \u2013 to include a checklist for evaluation of key ATM components and surroundings during every visit \u2013 also check for presence of adhesive tape residue near or on the card reader.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nSMS Alerts<\/strong> for every debit transaction using the debit-or-credit-card \u2013 with a robust emergency deactivation procedure.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nConsumer awareness<\/strong> \u2013 to make the customer more attentive and also to look for any irregular or attached devices; facility to easily report suspicions to the Bank.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nProvide a Guide to the consumer for checking for any aberration<\/strong> \u2013 Have a picture of the ATM \u201cas it should be\u201d either pasted near the ATM, or can even be displayed on the ATM Screen home page, so that the customer can check for the presence of any suspicious tampering.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nTechnology Solutions:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nChip Cards<\/strong> <\/p>\n \nBiometric ATMs<\/strong> <\/p>\n \n2 Factor Authentication for ATM & POS Use<\/strong> <\/p>\n \nJitter Technology<\/strong> <\/p>\n \nRadio Frequency Jamming<\/strong> <\/p>\n \nAnti Skimming Devices<\/strong> <\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n \nCustomer Point of View \u2013 Precautions to be Taken<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nHere are some tips to keep in mind next time you go to withdraw cash:\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nTrust your instincts. If something doesn\u2019t look right or feel right, move on to the next ATM. A lot of skimming devices are stuck onto the machine or nearby with Velcro or two-sided tape. Keypads that aren\u2019t concave, for example, could have overlays that flatten or pull the surface of the keys out. A card-reader slot might have a perfectly molded attachment over it that pops off. Some skimmers are custom-made with matching molding and a color that corresponds to a targeted ATM. If anything on the front of the machine looks crooked, loose or damaged, it could be a sign that someone has attached a skimming device or a camera.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nAs you key in your PIN, cover the keyboard with the other hand to block anyone or a camera from seeing.\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nDon\u2019t use ATMs with unusual signage or instructions, such as a command to enter your PIN twice to complete a transaction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ATM Skimming happens when thieves attach devices onto ATMs in order to copy a credit-or-debit-card number, the information on the magnetic strip and even your personal identification number. A fraudster can benefit from ATM Skimming by creating a cloned card that can be used in an ATM or at a POS terminal. For using … <\/p>\n
\nThe most effective method of preventing sensitive account information from being available on the magnetic strip is the use of chip-based cards that house the data on microchips instead of magnetic stripes, making data more difficult to steal and cards more difficult to reproduce.\n<\/p>\n
\nBiometrics offers a difficult to duplicate replacement to a static numerical PIN. As each fingerprint or retinal scan is unique, it is clearly more robust than a four digit PIN. However, as it may be a costly enterprise, deployment of biometrics as a means to move away from the customer PIN may not happen unless there is a push by the statutory body towards this.\n<\/p>\n
\nSolutions are available whereby for the use of debit-cum-credit cards either on ATMs or on POS, a OTP (as is vogue for online transactions now) will be generated and communicated to the registered mobile phone of the user. Implementing this will ensure that skimmed cards cannot be used without having access to the registered mobile phone of the customer.\n<\/p>\n
\nJitter technology is a process that controls and varies the speed of movement of a card as it is inserted through a card reader, making it difficult to read card data, as card skimmers generally require a smooth intake of the card to get a good read of the magnetic strip. However, jitter works on ATMs with motorized card readers only – ones in which the user inserts the card and then allows the reader to pull the card in, read the mag-stripe data and then push the card out. It is not effective on machines with dip readers where the user manually inserts and withdraws the card.\n<\/p>\n
\nOne of the key factors for a successful ATM Skimming fraud is to communicate the captured magnetic strip data and the PIN data to the fraudster for use. Nowadays, this is transmitted using radio frequency or through Bluetooth wireless technology. By installing a radio frequency jammer in the ATM Kiosk, this can be prevented, making it necessary for the fraudster to physically visit the ATM Kiosk to retrieve the information \u2013 thus making it more risky for him.\n<\/p>\n
\nThere are a few commercial anti-skimming devices available in the market. Most of them monitor for the presence of foreign objects near or on the card reader and either disables the ATM when such a device is detected, or generates an alert to the Switch. Some products also emit an electromagnetic field which interfere\u2019s with a skimmer\u2019s ability to capture magnetic stripe data.\n<\/p>\n