Card Trapping / Cash Trapping / Card Swapping

Card trapping devices were prevalent in Europe through December. The traps are often used in association with cameras to record PIN entry. iPods with camera features are favoured by some criminals due to the relatively long battery life and large storage capacity. Cash trapping was also prevalent in December.

Cheque Fraud / Fake Deposit / Leaving Transaction Live

Ten suspects were arrested in the US linked to cheque (check) fraud. The suspects were paid a fee to open accounts which were subsequently used to deposit fake cheques via ATMs. Funds were withdrawn prior to the cheques being fully cleared.

ATM Skimming / Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise

ATM skimming in Tanzania during December prompted many banks to review security defences including installation of PIN shields and card reader ‘jitter' features.  Police in Kenya launched an investigation following a sharp increase in ATM skimming incidents. Police in Bulgaria made arrests in December related to the organization of ATM skimming activity in Bulgaria and abroad. Criminals of Bulgarian nationality, suspected of involvement in ATM fraud were arrested in various countries during December. In Uganda, four Bulgarian nationals were convicted.

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

The US experienced a number of thefts of ATMs including many which failed. In one incident, the ATM which was reported to have been bolted to the floor, was removed but subsequently recovered when the suspects crashed their get-away vehicle. Premises targeted in the US included convenience stores, drug stores, gas (fuel) stations, restaurants, and a courthouse.  In the UK, four suspects were arrested following a spate of ram raid attacks.

Safe Cutting / Safe Breaking / Theft from ATM

Police in Canada reported a number of thefts from ATMs using cutting torches. In the US a reward was offered following both successful and failed thefts from ATMs.

Explosive Attacks

Police in South Africa made arrests in December but explosive attacks continued.

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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,onhow to manage ATM and self-service terminal fraud and security threats.