$1 Million ATM Fraud Scam Busted

Zoweee!  Some key aspects in this article. 

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4274

First, ONE DAY of skimming yielded about 350K in losses.  A single Sunday the criminals used a skimmer and pinhole camera to collect just 350 acct and pin numbers.  Then they pulled about 1000 from each account.

Second, in many of these cases, it's the CUSTOMERS bringing attention to the cases, not the banks or law enforcement folks who solve the crime.  Interesting that we are still relying on ourselves to solve this type of crime.  Be very observant when you use your ATM machines.

Finally, it seems, according to the article that there is an explosion of ATM Skimming crimes with no real end in site.  The crimes are small enough that legislation to combat the problem wont be reviewed for a long time.  This means the problems will persist.

ATMs Hit by Cash Trappers

Hmmm.  Here's a not-so-new approach to an old crime.  The cash trap has been a known crime for some time, but it's interesting that in EU, there is a DROP in skimming attacks at the same time an INCREASE in the cash traps.

In US, by many accounts, it seems the skimming is on the rise, along with several other crime (cash traps, smash and drags, etc.)...

See the full story here...

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4169&opg=1

NY Skimming Incidents may Be Linked

Kindof a general article again related to ATM Skimming.  It discusses the several cases that have more recently occurred (Seattle, Florida, New York).

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4148&opg=1

Interesting factoid:

From one ATM Machine with ONE skimming device, the back could see losses of approx 50K!

6 Tips to Curb ATM Skimming

Again, due to the recent activities around the Pacific Northwest cases, recommendations are made on how Skimming attacks might be countered. 

The basic list looks like this (I've commented on some standout points...):

Fraudsters are Savvy to Surveillance - The writer suggests the Fraudsters KNOW that live video is not being monitored.  However, they do not address the use of RECORDED video.  Also, this is not a serious issue as the Fraudsters might simply use a machine without Video Surveillance.

Incidents Occur Quickly - 2-3 hours to collect a bunch of Account Data.  That's about what would be expected.  And then I suppose they move onto another machine.

No Wireless Technology - This is interesting in that the writer does not mention the use of wireless video cameras, something more commonly seen in the past.  But they refer to the actual skimming device transmitting data wirelessly.  I think it would certainly add costs and risk for the criminal, but it seems the use of a camera is still fairly likely.

Branch ATMs Preferred - The writer points out very good reasons for the preference of Branch Bank ATMs over Retail or otherwise, off-site ATMs.  Easy access and high traffic volume, most important.

Certain Makes Targeted - I would say the regular use of specific model(s) is more related to familiarity and costs.  If the Fraudsters can simply build ONE facade and product it in quantity, tehy can more quickly get the thefts underway at more places quicker and for less costs.

Merchants Can Help Detect Fraud - I find this most troubling.  FIRST, consider the issue that the Retail organization DOES NOT check IDs when a Debit charge is being conducted.  But SECOND. indeed, why/how should they?  The main point of using a debit card, specifically with a customer swiping access point, is so the employee never NEEDS to check the card and/ or ID.  It would seem to me a little strange after I've swiped my card and entered my PIN that an employee would ask me for the card and my ID.

Here's the whole article...
http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4084&pg=1

2 ATM Skimming Suspect Jailed

These are two additional folks linked to the same cases from last month in the Seattle area. 
http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4077

3 Charged With 6-State Spree Linked to $550K in Fraud

Good article from CUInfoSecurity.com on another recent update in teh war on ATM Skimming.  Three separate individuals brought up on charges.

Here's the whole story...

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4031