NOW READ THIS
("Security Advisory")
Submitted by: Bill Hickey
NCVA List Master
NRT-0433 Hi-Tech Criminals Capture ATM card PINs:
A gang of fraudsters has been using high-tech devices to copy bank customer account
inforamtion at ATMs in Sydney, Australia. More than 100 customers of one bank lost
money after their cards were skimmed at ATMs. The scammers attached a covering to
the top or side of an ATM cabin that contained a tiny camera to record the PIN code
being punched in the keypad. A replica of the slot opening is attached where the
card is inserted to read the magnetic strip and store it before it goes into the ATM.
A touch sensitive keypad cover is used to record the ATM pin number and transmit it
to a laptop up to 100 meters away. After 20 to 30 uses the device is retrieved and
the magnetic strip data is copied onto ATM bank cards; the skimmed ATM pin number is
used to access the account.
Syndey's fraud squad head said his squad busted an international skimming gang of
Bulgarians two years ago who had plundered $1.6 million from 600 accounts, but he could
not say if the same gang was back. Seven gang leaders escaped Sydney's police net
and fled to Canada where they raided Australian accounts at ATMs around Toronto
using cards copied from the Sydney operation.
(theage.com.au 09MAR08)