Only 28% of people surveyed protect their PIN at an ATM

The Irish Payment Services Organisation (IPSO) has just released the results of a survey of 260 ATM users on the SafeCard website. The results were disappointing - only 28% of the cardholders (including 156 men and 104 women) actually make any effort to shield the PIN pad when keying in their PIN.

IPSO has released edited footage (see below) from a micro-camera recovered after criminals attempted to use skimming equipment at an ATM in Ireland.  This shows actual footage as would be seen by the criminals if they retrieved the camera. 

Peak shopping time increases cardholder risk....

As we enter the final run-up to Xmas and the New Year, the shopping bonanza is well under way.  This of course presents great opportunities for criminals.  Yesterday I noted that the Turkish authorities have just arrested 10 Bulgarian nationals for ATM skimming offences....these guys had skimming devices placed on 4 ATMs in Istanbul for over a week.  According to Bulgarian national radio the fraudsters managed to steal data from 300 cards and obtain 50,000 Turkish Lira.  The arrests were made in Istanbul, as well as in a hotel on the Turkish-Greek border.  A large amount of skimming equipment was also seized.  It is good that these guys are safely out of the way for the time being, but there are of course thousands more out there.

What can you do to reduce the risk of your card being skimmed at an ATM?

Always be vigilant when using an ATM (or any payment terminal) and always shield your PIN when entering it.  Does this make any difference?  Watch seized criminal video footage to see that it does.

Visit the website of the European ATM Security Team (EAST) for other cardholder security tips.

How to protect your PIN.....by being creative!

It is the responsibility of an EMV Cardholder (someone holding a Chip enabled card) to protect their PIN when entering it into an ATM, or at any payment terminal.  Best industry advice is to shield it whenever entering it into a device, thereby preventing visual compromise.  Sometimes this is not easy.........and you have to be creative in how you do it.  EURO Kartensysteme in Germany has produced the short amusing video below, which illustrates this point.  If you don't read German the text says:

At the Supermarket checkout.......................my PIN remains secret



For more cardholder security tips, and to watch seized criminal video footage of ATM PIN compromise, visit the website of the European ATM Security Team (EAST).