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Feeds from ATMsecurity.com
| Monthly Digests from ATMsecurity.com |
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ATM Fraud & Security Digest - June 2010
Transaction Reversal Fraud Denomination Fraud
Suspects were arrested in the USA, perpetrating a type of transaction reversal fraud whereby cash is obtained from an ATM, but subsequently recredited to the account, thus overcoming the daily withdrawal limit and preventing the account balance from being depleted. In the UK, three suspects were sentenced following denomination fraud at an ATM. The suspects had changed the value attached to cash in the ATM. The fraud was detected after genuine customers advised they were receiving more cash than they were being charged for. In India a type of reverse denomination fraud was used to conceal internal cash theft from an ATM. The perpetrators modified the value of banknotes to that of a higher value in an attempt to disguise the theft of cash from an ATM they had access to.
ATM Skimming Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise
An international police operation closed an ATM skimming factory in Bulgaria. The organized crime syndicate produced and supplied skimming devices which were used globally, including in Australia, Canada and Europe. In the USA, a multi-agency law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of a
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ATM Fraud & Security Digest - May 2010
Explosive Attacks
South Africa reported continuing ATM bombing attacks. In Germany, a bank was almost completely destroyed when the attackers used an excessive quantity of explosives in a failed attack.
Leaving Transaction Live Fraud
The USA reported leaving transaction live fraud which primarily exploits ATMs with Dip or Swipe card readers.
Card Trapping Card Theft Distraction Card Swapping
Throughout May, the UK continued to report card trapping incidents. Card trapping was also reported in the USA. In Canada, distraction techniques included the spraying of victims with faeces to facilitate pick-pocketing of cash from victims who had recently used ATMs.
ATM Skimming Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise
The UK, Australia, Macedonia, India, Switzerland, China, Thailand, USA, Canada, Finland and South Africa were among the countries reporting ATM skimming attacks. Endorsing the benefits of consumer education, a number of ATM skimming devices were spotted by consumers before they became victims. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) articulated the liability conditions covering ATM fraud in the country. Examples of law enforcement activity that demonstrates the international aspects of ATM skimming included Romanian authorities shutting down a large scale ATM skimming factory
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ATM Fraud & Security Digest - April 2010
Card Trapping Card Theft Distraction Card Swapping
April card trapping incidents were significant in the UK. Lebanese Loops and other methods were used to trap or jam consumers' cards in ATM card readers. Distraction techniques used for card theft included simply seizing the card from the victim rather than the more common method of dropping a low-value banknote to distract the victim's attention.
ATM Skimming Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise
ATM skimming continued to be reported globally. Most geographies detected incidents including the USA, UK, Hong Kong, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Australia, among others. In Australia, a Chinese man was arrested for allegedly importing skimming equipment. Arrests for EFTPOS compromise in Australia included that of Malaysian suspects.
Phishing Vishing Advanced Fee Funds Transfer Fraud
April Phishing attacks were numerous and as varied as usual, but with an apparent focus on tax refund scams and fake lottery scams. Both
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ATM Fraud & Security Digest - March 2010
Leaving Transaction Live Stuck Key Fraud
During March, police in India arrested a suspect for leaving transaction live fraud. The fraud involved gluing one of the ATM keys thus preventing completion of the transaction.
Transaction Reversal Fraud Manipulation Denomination Fraud Cash Trapping
Cash trapping occurred in Thailand during March.
Card Trapping Card Theft Distraction Card Swapping
The UK continued to experience a large number of card trapping incidents. Lebanese loop card traps were used in Thailand during March.
ATM Skimming Skimming Data Compromise
A suspect arrested by the US Secret Service swallowed a flash drive in an attempt to destroy evidence of ATM skimming. The USA experienced a number of both ATM and Fuel pump skimming incidents in March. ATM skimming continued in the UK throughout March. Canadian police recovered ATM skimming equipment and identified an ATM skimming ‘factory'. ATM skimming was also reported in Thailand and Australia. Russian police arrested two suspects from Bulgaria and recovered ATM skimming equipment from their hotel room. Bulgarian customs officers intercepted a package destined for the USA which contained a skimming device.
Phishing Vishing /Smsishing Advanced Fee
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ATM Fraud & Security Digest - February 2010
ATM Skimming Skimming Data Compromise
ATM skimming was widespread in February, as were the number of court appearances and arrests of suspects. In the USA, a Romanian suspect pleaded guilty after being apprehended with an ATM skimming device and miniature spy camera. Due for sentencing in March, the suspect could face up to 32 years in prison. Also in the USA, three Bulgarian nationals were charged following 44 days of ATM skimming attacks with attributed losses exceeding $137,000. In Canada, police discovered skimming equipment after stopping a vehicle linked to the theft of fuel (gas). During February, fuel-pump skimming was reported in the USA, motivating some fuel (gas) stations to change the locks on their fuel pumps. EFTPOS compromise was reported in Australia and elsewhere. In India, a Sri Lankan suspect was arrested for fraudulent spend using compromised cards and PINs. Pre-head tapping was suspected in the UK. Also during February, ATM fraud was reported in Kenya.
Phishing Vishing /Smsishing Advanced Fee Funds Transfer Fraud
During February, phishing, included variants on Tax Refund Fraud. Various regions reported tax refund
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ATM Fraud & Security Digest - January 2010
ATM Skimming Skimming Data Compromise
A large number of ATM fraud incidents, including ATM skimming, were reported in Indonesia during January, raising significant consumer confidence issues as well as some debate about the appropriate level of consumer education. Various ATM skimming devices were recovered globally in January, including within the USA which appears to be experiencing an increase in ATM skimming attacks. In an incident in Russia, fraudulent spend using compromised cards and PINs was reported to include the loss of 15m roubles. A Russian national was arrested in Kenya and charged with suspected fraudulent spend. Sentencing in January included eight Romanian nationals found guilty of fraudulent spend, who were sentenced to between six and nine years prison in Singapore. Police in Australia released photographs of suspects believed to be involved in on-going ATM skimming attacks.
Phishing Vishing /Smsishing Advanced Fee Funds Transfer Fraud
Phishing by e-mail, phone and text message was reported globally in January. In the USA, smsishing (smishing) and vishing was of particular note, the common theme being that the victims' card
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2009 - Skimming Review
While it may be too early to prove the relationship between the global economic slowdown and ATM crime, ATM skimming activity certainly appeared to grow globally throughout 2009. The following article includes extracts from the ATMsecurity.com monthly digests published in 2009:
January 2009
In New Zealand, police arrested two Romanian nationals suspected of being involved in ATM skimming between January 20th and 21st.Australian police recovered an ATM skimming device following a report from an alert consumer who had experienced difficulty inserting their card into the ATM card reader.
A South African victim discovered R18,500 had been illegally taken from their account following an incident at an ATM. While the victim was attempting to use an ATM he experienced difficulty and a ‘helpful-stranger' dressed like an employee of the bank offered assistance. From the victim's statement, it appears the fake bank employee gained temporary access to the card and skimmed the data before returning the card to the victim. Shoulder surfing is suspected of being used to obtain the PIN.
Two petrol (gas) stations are under suspicion following at least 1000 incidents of card and PIN compromise in the UK during January. Fraudulent spend has been identified in Canada,
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ATM Fraud and Security Digest - December 2009
Ram Raid Attacks Theft of ATM Smash-and-Grab
In the USA, various convenience stores and fuel stations were the targets of choice for ram raid attacks in December. In one USA attack, the perpetrators were not strong enough to lift the weight of the ATM. Northern Ireland had a significant number of attacks which was a continuation of a general trend in 2009. In India, attempts to steal ATMs were reported in December. Forklift trucks, mechanical diggers and pickup trucks were the most common vehicles used in December.
Safe Cutting Safe Breaking Frontal Attacks Theft from ATM
Australian police, linking eight attempts using blowtorches to cut open ATMs, reported two attempts as being successful. In Canada, an ATM was smashed open in a shopping mall. In the USA, an ATM was completely destroyed during an attack to force open the security enclosure. Grinders were used in South Africa. In India, an ATM was broken into via damage to the lock. Arrests and firearms' seizures were made in Pakistan related to thefts from ATMs.
Explosive Attacks
A suspect
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ATM Fraud and Security Digest - November 2009
Card Trapping Card Theft Distraction Card Swapping
Lebanese Loops and other card trapping devices were reported in November, particularly in the UK. Distraction techniques also continued to be reported globally. Iincidents often included teams of two perpetrators with one pointing to a low-value bank note (£5 in UK incidents) on the ground and indicating to the victim that they had dropped it, the second perpetrator removing the card from the ATM while the victim was distracted,the PIN observed previously while being entered. In The Philippines, a P500 note was typically used and the card was swapped, as opposed to simply being stolen.
ATM Skimming Skimming Data Compromise
ATM skimming continued to be significant globally in November. Police in Nigeria arrested a group who claimed they purchased the skimming equipment from Malaysia. One of the suspects apparently boasted that their crime was intellectually superior to using firearms and merely robbing victims. Some of the more sophisticated skimming devices recovered in November included those which incorporated Bluetooth transmitters. An apparent payment terminal compromise at a car park in New Zealand was reported in November with an indication
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ATM Fraud and Security Digest - October 2009
Ram Raid Attacks Theft of ATM Smash-and-Grab
Police in India have called on banks to increase security following the theft of ATMs. Police in the USA (ID) studied CCTV following manual removal of an ATM from a branch location. Also in the USA, there were a number of ATM ram raids. In WA, police released CCTV pictures of a suspect. In MO, a logging chain was used. Chains were also used in the UK. In one UK incident the result was the rear bumper and licence plate breaking off from the perpetrator's vehicle. Mechanical diggers were used frequently in October in the UK, and elsewhere, to remove ATMs. Also in the UK, perpetrators who had disguised a stolen ATM as a car passenger, complete with hooded top and ‘wearing’ a seatbelt, were sentenced to four years and six years prison terms respectively. In Chile, one suspect was killed and two others injured when the ATM they had stolen crushed their vehicle following a collision.
Safe Cutting Safe Breaking Frontal Attacks Theft from ATM
Supermarket staff in the UK