New technology in ATM scam

CRIMINALS are using wireless technology to skim personal identification numbers from bank cards at ATMs while sitting up to 100m away. Police say wireless keypad overlays are being used on ATMs in the latest international scam expected to hit Australian shores soon.

The keypads instantly transmit a person's secret PIN to a nearby laptop, replacing traditional skimming devices which were attached to ATMs.

"Under the old technology if they lost the skimming machine because it was detected or they could not retrieve it, they lost all the data,'' Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of Queensland police said.

"Now, they can retain the information collected between the time the device is put on the ATM and when it is collected or compromised.''

Supt Hay said the new technolo gy also meant skimmers no longer needed to install spy cameras on ATMs to record PINs.

"All the card data is transmitted to their laptops while they're having a cup of coffee up to 100m away,'' he said.

"They design the keypad overlays for specific types of ATMs so it makes them very difficult to detect.''

Police found the technology could be bought on the internet from black market websites.

"There is no evidence yet of the wireless technology being used in Australia but we know they are trading on the Internet,'' he said.

"We know the technology is out there and crooks can buy it so it will be inevitable it will happen here.''
Source: news.com.au