ATMs targeted by fraudsters
'Neither bank nor customers have suffered any loss' - HSBC
Police are investigating after "suspicious-looking" devices were attached to three bank ATMs, though no clients have been duped, The Sunday Times has learnt.
Electronic devices were attached to two different parts of cash dispensing machines in a bid to copy sensitive information, which is relayed to criminals waiting to steal card details.
The devices include a skimmer that is able to read credit or debit card details as customers slide their bank card through what they think is the bank's identification system and as they key in their personal identification number (PIN).
A spokesman for HSBC told The Sunday Times that the incident took place over the weekend of August 9 and 10.
The device was immediately removed and the police were alerted about the incident. The bank refused to say which three ATMs had been targeted.
"Each and every one of HSBC's ATMs is equipped with a number of security features to safeguard both bank and customer and we are pleased to advise that neither bank nor customer have suffered any loss in this incident," the spokesman said.
An e-mail doing the rounds signed by a bank security official last week said that timely intervention had minimised the damage.
He urged clients to inspect whether any foreign body had been fixed to the card reader and placed above the PIN keypad. The presence of glue and adhesive tape is a clear indication that an ATM has been targeted by fraudsters.
Bank staff are instructed to inspect their ATMs each morning and before leaving.
"Today I got information that another local bank had skimmed cards retained on their ATMs. These were retained last Wednesday. Thus, it appears that culprits are still on the island," the e-mail read.
Bank of Valletta said it had not traced any evidence of skimming devices being attached to its ATMs.
"What we had a few weeks ago were instances where fraudsters attempted to use skimmed cards at BoV ATMs," a bank spokesman told The Sunday Times.
The bank has its mechanisms and procedures for dealing with such cases and co-operates fully with the police in their efforts to stop such criminal activity, he added.
The police confirmed that the case is being investigated, though said it was not prudent to comment at this stage.
The technology used in identity theft is constantly changing and becoming more high tech, sometimes outdoing the banks' security precautions.
HSBC urged customers to phone its call centre on 2380 2380 should they see any suspicious device on an ATM.