ATM criminals increasingly use thin insert skimmers

Picture courtesy of EAST

The European ATM Security Team (EAST) has been reporting the usage of insert skimmers at European ATMs for some time now.  In a Fraud update published last month they stated that a new form of mini-skimmer was reported by one country, specially adapted to fit the card reader of one ATM type.  This mini-skimmer, which can be seen in the image to the right,  was used in conjunction with a new style of video camera for PIN compromise.

Contactless technology for ATMs?

Contactless technology is already available for ATM cash withdrawals, with some pilot studies in operation. The European ATM Security Team (EAST) ran a website poll on this topic from October to December 2013.

74% of respondents indicated that they would be happy to use this technology (card or smartphone) to make an ATM withdrawal. 67% would happy to do this with a PIN and 7% without a PIN, while 26% indicated that they would not want to use the technology.

EAST Publishes European Fraud Update 3-2013

The European ATM Security Team (EAST) has just published its third European Fraud Update for 2013. This is based on country crime updates given by representatives of 19 countries in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and 3 non-SEPA countries, at the 31st EAST meeting held at Equens SE in Utrecht on 9th October 2013.

Skimming at ATMs was reported by 20 countries, with increases reported by 8 countries and decreases by 6 countries. The usage of fake ATMs for card and PIN compromise has been reported, the first time such a method has been seen by an EAST National Member, and skimming devices placed on ATMs with dip readers appear to be becoming more prevalent.

Cash trapping attacks in Europe seem to have stabilised

 

The European Security Team (EAST) has just released its third Fraud Update for 2012.  Cash trapping incidents were reported by 15 of the 21 contributing countries, and such attacks seem to be stabilising or falling in most of them.  The most common method used by criminals continues to be a fork or claw  inserted into the cash dispense slot during a normal transaction.

In October 2011 and April 2012 EAST reported significant rises in cash trapping incidents, so this latest news is welcome.

ATM skimming attacks continue in all but 4 of the reporting countries, and the migration of fraud losses away from EMV liability shift areas continues.  For more information visit the EAST website.

ATM related skimming losses rise again - mainly outside Europe

The European ATM Security Team (EAST) has reported a 15% increase in ATM related skimming losses, despite a 13% fall in skimming incidents.  Most of these losses are taking place outside Europe in countries where the EMV (Chip and PIN) liability shift has not yet been adopted, or where the roll out of EMV compliant ATMs has not yet been completed.  That being said, skimming incidents now make up just 35% of all reported ATM related fraud attacks, with the remainder being due to low-tech attacks such as cash trapping, card trapping and transaction reversal fraud (TRF).  Losses due to the low-tech attacks are very low: losses of just €3 million were reported, compared to skimming related losses of €128 million.

 

To download the full press release visit the EAST Website.

First ECB report on card fraud shows chips have increased the security of physical transactions

The European Central Bank (ECB) has published its first report on card fraud. The report was compiled by the Eurosystem, i.e. the ECB and the 17 national central banks of the euro area. Its main findings are that card fraud has been on a declining trend since 2007, and that technological advances have been key to increasing the security of transactions.  Nothing new there then, but it is good to get further evidence that EMV is working and that steps now need to be taken to prevent losses from payment fraud acquired outside the single euro payments area (SEPA).  SEPA comprises 32 countries and 458 million citizens in Europe.

Latest update from the European ATM Security Team (EAST)

The European ATM Security Team (EAST) has just published its February 2011 News Update, the first one available directly through the social media.  There are several articles including ones on Stained Banknotes, the latest EAST meeting, a Case Study and more.........to read the full update click on the following link http://createsend.com/t/r-7C0DBD362A7E1953