Watch out for ATM skimmers

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Next time around when you step into an ATM counter, do watch out for the presence of this unusual device that has the potential of robbing you off your hard earned money.

Look out for the skimmers on the doors or at the card slots of ATM counters. Skimmers, the new device used by the cyber criminals can record all data, including your PIN from your credit or debit cards. And this information can be used for taking money from your account.

“This is a latest tool used by the fraudsters. The ATM users, who are in hurry, often may not notice this device and fall victims to this sophisticated crime. We are alerting all the banks about this and asking them to ensure that their ATM counters are not bugged with skimmers,” said Mr N. Vinayakumaran Nair, assistant commissioner, State High-tech cell The criminals are targeting the unmanned ATM counters or the counters without camera to install the skimmers.

Also, there are several people working in the state as agents for the world-wide racket of cyber criminals who are experts in “card cloning”.

According to cyber cell officials, these agents who are working as waiters or bartenders in the luxurious hotels in the major cities, hide a skimmer in their pocket. When one gives his credit or debit card for paying their bill, these thieves skim all the data from your card and copy these details onto a computer and send to the high-tech criminals for money.

“These skimming agents were rampant in major cities in the country like Jaipur, Delhi and Hyderabad. Now they are also spreading into Kochi. They used to steal the data from the cards using skimmers and send to this high-tech cyber criminals, who easily make exact copy of the card and get away with money,” said Mr Vinayakumaran Nair.