The multi-billion ATM scamming industry has also evolved dramatically over the years. ATM scammers now do not need to hack the complicated computer systems of the banks. They have invented a mechanism to tamper with the automated machines, rendering the use of PIN useless for security purposes.
Catch some ATM Scammers
The police forces found out about this new sophisticated scheme of ATM scammers when two foreign individuals, one from Romania and another from Hungary, were caught the previous month following the tampering of one ATM in the CBD of Sydney.
Police forces believe that other such individuals may also resort to the same method to install illegal scanning devices in ATMs. What these scammers do is to put a thin device that can hardly be noticed in the automated teller machines. This device traces the PIN of the ATM users.
The police publicized the photos of these two men aged between 20’s and 30’s as captured through the bank’s security camera. The police forces are on the lookout for these men so they will be brought to the custody for questioning.
Intelligence reports revealed that the scammers have made ATM machines in the suburbs of Double Bay, Mosman, Parramatta and Dural target since January of this year. Further reports disclose that the gang behind the scheme is connected to Eastern Europe.
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According to the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad commander, Arthur Katsogiannis, the scammer group is a highly organized and sophisticated gang that had already stolen an amount exceeding one hundred thousand dollars solely from this particular scam.
He also said that 21st century lawless elements prefer this methodology to steal from ATMs. Katsogiannis adds these types of crimes are expected to surface and increase exponentially considering the technological advancements.
The scanning device utilized by the ATM scammers can copy the details of an ATM card. There is a very small and hardly noticeable video camera that records footages of people as they enter their PINs. The details written in the card are scanned, and a copy thereof is created, enabling the organized group to access the funds of the account owner.
Matt Craft, a Detective Inspector, explains that the cameras used by the scammers in the past could only capture images from above the keypad. But now, the cameras are able to catch footages from different angles.
Craft asked ATM cardholders to be extra careful in using ATMs. He advised them to cover their hands with any item as they type their PIN numbers. ATM customers can use a paper, bag, wallet or whatever stuff that can fully cover the keypad view as they type the numbers. Since the camera used by the scammers can capture from different angles, it’s better to make sure that all sides of the keypad are covered as much as possible.
As a Sydney Bookkeeper, and this occurring in Sydney, I wanted to alert our clients on how you can protect your accounts from being accessed by these lawless elements. A little care can save you from the inconvenience that can happen if you become the target of such crimes.
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About Donna Stone
Donna Stone is a published author of the very popular “Stepping Stones Series” – a trilogy of books containing over 750 business tips, available via https://donna-stone.com.au. Also a speaker and consultant in the bookkeeping industry. She won “Networker of the Year” for 2010, 2011 and 2012. Check out Money GemStones.Connect with her thru Facebook, Linkedin, Google+ and Twitter. Watch videos here.
