(Trinidad Newsday) The fraud which affected Auto-mated Banking Machines (ABM) at commercial banks across the country is believed to have regional and international involvement.
Last Friday, the Bankers Association issued a release alerting the public to be vigilant against “skimming”, the use of recording devices or cameras to get the PIN (personal identification number) of persons using ABM machines, which was detected at different banks. RBC, Republic and First Citizens opened last Saturday to allow customers to replace debit and credit cards disabled after banks identified the cards as being accessed via fraud.
The police are currently investigating an overseas link to the fraudulent activities because of the technology used.
Images of the men suspected of being involved in the scam were captured via banks’ surveillance cameras. Photos and video of the suspects will be disseminated through Crime Stoppers for members of the public to help identify them.
President of the Bankers’ Association Richard Young said in a television news report last night, the number of customers affected and money lost has not been determined. He said protective measures have been introduced to prevent skimming.
Banking officials warned that the person standing behind you or in a line in the ABM room, talking on a cellular phone or innocently holding a digital camera, could actually be recording or taking photos while you punch in your PIN.
Using other electronically modified cards, the criminals enter the PIN of persons to illegally access their accounts and withdraw or transfer money. In a release issued late yesterday afternoon, Banking Association of TT (BATT) president Richard Young last Friday said banks have “picked up” on the skimming activity late last week and immediately started investigating it.
