Cash Trapping / Transaction Reversal Fraud / Denomination Fraud

Cash trapping was reported from the US during November. The modus operandi involved the use of a paper napkin.

ATM Skimming / Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise

Incidents of ATM skimming in South Africa were reported by the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) as increasing against a general reduction in credit card fraud. In India, fraud spend at ATMs using cloned cards continued to be reported. Legislators in Jamaica considered banning the importation of skimming devices. ATM skimming incidents were reported from the US, Europe, South Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Australia, Canada, Indonesia and Thailand during November. Bulgarian police disrupted a large organized crime gang responsible for ATM skimming in many European countries.

Card Trapping / Card Theft / Distraction / Card Swapping

Card trapping continued in November, particularly in the UK.

Phishing / Vishing / Advanced Fee / Funds Transfer Fraud

In the US, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have reminded people of the risks from Phishing, vishing and, increasingly,  smishing attacks. Authorities in Northern Ireland warned that a number of residents had recently experienced vishing attacks. The modus operandi involves the caller claiming the victims' cards have been compromised.

Ram Raid Attacks / Theft of ATM / Smash-and-Grab

In Canada, a store manager responding to a burglar alarm had his vehicle rammed as he attempted to follow suspects who had failed to steal an ATM. In the US, various vehicles were used in successful and failed thefts of ATMs including flatbed trucks, pickup trucks with cables, and forklift trucks. Good anchoring helped prevent the removal of ATMs using tow straps attached to vehicles. Excavators and chains were used in successful and failed thefts of ATMs in Australia. In Portugal, a digger failed to remove an ATM. In the UK, diggers were used to remove ATMs. In Ireland, a quick response by the Garda (police) foiled the attempted theft of an ATM using a digger.

Safe Cutting / Safe Breaking / Theft from ATM

Police in Russia arrested suspects who had used balloons to cover CCTV cameras while they attacked ATMs with drills and other tools. An Excavator was used to attack ATMs in Australia, breaking open the security enclosure. Also in Australia, thieves found and used the keys for the ATM to remove cash. Cutting tools were used in Vietnam to remove cash from ATMs. An attack with a crowbar in the US failed to gain access to the security enclosure. A drilling attack in the US failed after triggering re-lockers. In India, incidents included cutting tools failing to open an ATM and the successful theft from an ATM without any apparent physical evidence. In the UK, a 4x4 vehicle was used to break open an ATM.

Explosive Attacks

South Africa continued to experience ATM bombings.

Quick Search Strings:

Theft of ATMs >                                         Failed Theft of ATMs >

Theft From ATMs >                                   ATM Skimming >

Card Trapping >                                         Leaving Transaction Live >

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The above digest is provided by DFR Risk Management, who provide consultancy services advising ATM and self-service terminal deployers and manufacturers, as well as law-enforcement agencies, on how to manage ATM and self-service terminal fraud and security threats.