SOUTH AFRICAN bank customers are urged to continue taking precautionary measures when doing transactions with their bank cards, as card skimming incidents remain prevalent, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) said.
Sabric CEO, Kalyani Pillay, says that the skimming of cards is not a new trend, and it occurs when the encoded information on the magnetic strip of a legitimate card is copied for fraudulent purposes.
The stolen information is usually used to manufacture counterfeit cards, or used to make purchases that do not require the physical presentation of the card.
Card skimming incidents can happen at any point where cards are used.
There is also an emerging trend of sophisticated devices that are mounted to ATMs which are difficult for many bank clients to detect. This calls for users of ATMs to be fully aware of the safe ATM banking practices, particularly ensuring that the key pad is always covered when the PIN code is being keyed in.
Pillay says, “Card skimming as a card fraud modus operandi has remained unchanged for almost 10 years now. The technology is becoming more sophisticated, thus more difficult for the customer to detect.
A total of 189 hand-held skimming devices and 36 ATM mounted skimming devices were retrieved throughout the country in 2010. During the month of December alone, 11 hand-held skimming devices and 3 ATM mounted devices were retrieved.
SABRIC advises bank clients to notify their bank immediately when they suspect that their card may have been skimmed. It is also important for clients to check their monthly statements on a regular basis in order to identify any irregular transactions, which should promptly be reported to the bank.
Tips to avoid falling victim to card skimming when making ATM transactions:
• Inspect the front of the entire ATM for any unusual appearance
• Report any unusual appearance immediately through emergency tollfree telephone numbers that appear on your bank ATM machine
• If an ATM machine is not accepting your card, do not force it into the entry card slot; rather use another ATM machine
• Never accept assistance or suggestions from strangers on how to use an ATM (or even offers to “clean” your card).
• Always keep an eye on your card when paying at a merchant
