PHISHED OR SKIMMED?

How would you like to give away your debit card data...
Absence of surveillance at ATM boothscombined with lack of awareness among debit card users has led to a surge inATM related cyber-crimes by over 20 times in just four years

From just six cases in 2011, the number of ATM card-related cyber crimes soared by over 20 times to 122 in 2014. This, in the absence of information security guidelines which are mandatory for banks as per Reserve Bank of India's guidelines on electronic banking.

An official from the city's cyber-crime cell also blamed ignorance of the users for the rise in number of such cases.

“Those who use ATM cards should be more alert while transacting. With the use of high-tech equipment, it has become easier for thieves to skim such cards,“ said Inspector (cyber crime) Kiran Patel.

For example, a customer uses her debit card to pay her bills at malls and restaurants.Now, a person with wrong intentions will drop her card deliberately. When he bends to pick it up, the skimmer planted on his shirt pocket will take images of the card within seconds. The image is transferred to a computer and a duplicate card is made.

“In many cases, the fraudsters make a copy of the cards using the read and write software after procuring the data,“ said ACP K N Patel of the Cyber Crime Cell.

The password can be traced with help of “shoulder surfing“, where password can be traced by closesly observing finger movements, standing just behind user's shoulder.Similarly, a customer leaves potential space for skimmers when he gives his card to a third party at a petrol pump to pay bills.

In yet another conning technique, glue is spread below the key pad at ATMS to ensure the circuit stays kaput even if you keep pressing the buttons. However, once you have swiped the card in the machine, the ATM can read your card data. So, when you exit the booth all frustrated, the fraudster walks in, removes the glue and gets the access for one time. Also, if you do not tear off your ATM slips before dropping it in the dustbin, the con men can easily get your card data cloned using the info.

“The biggest challenge for us is lack of awareness among users. RBI should put up posters regarding debit and credit card frauds at all crowded places,“ he said ACP Patel. He said that in several cases, there were no guards at the ATM booths.“It is important to appoint guards in as many booths as possible. It will certainly help in controlling such crimes,“ he added.

TOOTHLESS RBI

As per the rules and regulations of RBI, it is the personal responsibility of all the banks to maintain the safety of ATMs and users. However, banks compromise on surveillance at few booths because ATM transactions are largely free (upto five free transactions in own-bank ATMs and three in other-bank ATMs per month) they do not gain anything out of it.

“An ATM booth with more than 150 hits is recognised as one with optimum users. So, here all kinds of security are provided. But in booths where the use is limited, banks cannot provide 247 surveillance.In such places, they generally have security guards at night,“ said HC Jadeja, deputy general manager of state level bankers' committee (SLBC), Gujarat.

“It is impossible for the RBI to ensure that all banks follow the RBI guidelines. It is up to the banks to maintain the security of the ATMs,“ added Jadeja

TYPES OF FRAUDS

HELPING HAND:

At places where ATMs don't work, the thieves offer help to the users, exchange their card with a fake one and use the original card. Several users make the mistake of writing their PIN on the card's cover. Some even blurt out their password to the thief who is trying to `help' them.» Don't take help from any stranger » Don't give password or card to anyone » Don't use ATM machine in the presence of another user

CUSTOMER CARE:

Fraudsters call up account holders posing as bank officials and collect card details.» Don't provide account details over phone

HIGH-TECH CAM:

High-tech cameras are installed at ATMs to record passwords and scan the card. This info is used to make false cards. Always hide your password by covering the keypad with the other hand » Don't openly type passwords