ACCAN - Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
Campaigning for a better deal for all Communications Consumers
ACCAN is a peak body that represents all consumers on communications issues including telecommunications, broadband and emerging new services. ACCAN provides a strong unified voice to industry and government as consumers work towards availability, accessibility and affordability of communications services for all Australians. Consumers need ACCAN to promote better consumer protection outcomes ensuring speedy response to complaints and issues.
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Beware of ATM skimming
How ATM skimming works
Offenders install skimming devices on two parts of the ATM:
- over the card insert slot, to record data from the card's magnetic strip; and
- at the top of the ATM a false panel with a pin-hole camera (often a mobile phone), to record the person entering their PIN number.
The stolen information is later encoded onto blank EFTPOS cards and can be used at ATMs to withdraw funds using the customer’s PIN.
Offenders have also been known to hold onto stolen account information for several months before accessing skimmed accounts elsewhere in the world.
POINT of SALE (EFTPOS) SKIMMING FRAUD
Since 5 October 2009 the Major Fraud Squad has received substantial information regarding alleged credit/debit card skimming and pin capturing occurring throughout the metropolitan area at McDonalds food-outlets. The operation has been established to investigate these offences.
Inquires have confirmed that the EFTPOS(ELECRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER POINT OF SALE) devices have been compromised and customs debit/credit pin number and card information is being obtained at this point.
Police are continuing to work closely with numerous financial institutions and McDonalds, with McDonalds being the only EFTPOS point of sale devices affected at this time.
To-date;
- In excess of 3500 customers cards have been reported compromised
- In excess of 2.5 million dollars has been stolen.
Information supports that thousands of customer’s cards are at risk.
Retailers are requested to report to police any recent suspicious activity and in particular occurrences where EFTPOS devices have been stolen or tampered with.
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Hank Wyllie
Research Assistant
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