Card Trapping / Cash Trapping / Stuck Key Fraud

Cash trapping incidents continued to be reported during October, particularly in Europe. Card trapping incidents in October included some that were detected by consumers indicating a greater awareness of the technique amongst consumers, particularly in Europe.

Transaction Reversal Fraud

Transaction reversal fraud was detected in the UK during October.

ATM Skimming / Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise

ATM skimming and the fraudulent spend on cards compromised in other countries was reported from many regions during October. Police in India referenced an incident where 780 cards were compromised at nine different ATMs. In another incident in India, a suspect claimed he had purchased stolen card data from an international gang rather than actually perpetrate ATM skimming in the country. In the UK, a German national was sentenced to three years prison for possession of technology with the capability stealing £3m per week from ATMs. Sentencing in the US included three Bulgarian nationals receiving more than 5, 4 and 2 years respectfully. They had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and aggravated identity theft. A French national was arrested in Thailand and a range of equipment (including skimmers), compromised card data and cash was seized. The police operation was initiated after a bank detected a number of suspect withdrawals from ATMs.

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

An alert security guard intervened and prevented the theft of an ATM in the US. While the ATM was removed from the building and much collateral damage was caused, the guard prevented the suspects from loading the ATM onto their pick-up truck. Other vehicles used in US incidents during October included forklift trucks and SUVs.

Safe Cutting / Safe Breaking / Theft from ATM

In a US incident involving safe cutting, a member of the public alerted authorities to the smell of burning coming from an ATM. It is not uncommon for such attacks to activate the fire alarm (often before the activation of any ATM specific burglar alarms). In Australia, a member of the public chased two suspects who had been attacking an ATM with an axe.

Explosive Attacks

Despite a number of arrests, ATM explosive attacks in South Africa continued in October. As explosive attacks continue to spread, an explosive attack was reported from Bulgaria. An explosive attack against an ATM in Indonesia which was initially thought to have been an attempt to obtain cash was revised as more likely to be political or terrorist motivated. Australian police team Strike Force Piccadilly II, was awarded a 2011 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award. The strike force was responsible for investigating 63 explosive gas attacks in an 18 month period and arrested 23 suspects.

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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.