Specific Fraud Methods And Prevention Tips

FRAUD METHODS AND PREVENTION TIPS

1] WEBSITE SPOOFING OR PHISHING- Where a criminal sets up a fake website which looks authentic to the victim to be. This can also be accomplished by sending fraudulent snail mail,e-mail and sms with a link to a fake website form where a victim to be will be requested to fill in his ATM card number, PIN, and other identity information which shall be used to reproduce a fraudulent card to used on an ATM machine or shopping online.

PHISHING PREVENTION TIPS

i] Never respond to any snail mail,e-mail, sms and phone call requesting you to change or update your ATM details and Banking personal information.

ii] If you receive any message regarding your ATM and Banking details via snail mail,e-mail,sms and phone call specifically requiring you to change or update your data ,ignore it and go to your bank or card provider for confirmation.


2] SHOULDER SURFING-Where criminals look over the ATM user’s hands as they enter their PIN and then pickpocket or steal the card using distraction techniques.


SHOULDER SURFING PRVENTION TIPS

i] Check that other individuals on the queue keep an acceptable distance from you. Be on the look out for individuals who might be watching you enter your PIN.

ii] Stand close to the ATM and shield the keypad with your hand when typing in your PIN [you may wish to use the knuckle of your middle finger to key in the PIN]

iii] Scan the whole ATM area before you approach it .Avoid using the ATM altogether if there are any suspicious looking individuals around or it looks too isolated or unsafe.

iv] Avoid opening your purse, bag or wallet while in the queue for an ATM transaction. Have your card ready in your hand before you approach the ATM.


3] CARD SKIMMING-This is a situation where an illegal skimming or card details reader object which looks like part of ATM equipment is attached to the machine . The illegal objects are used to copy ATM card security information on its magnetic stripe in order to reproduce the information on a fake card.

i] Where possible, use ATMs with which you are most familiar. Alternatively, choose well-lit, well –placed ATMs where you feel comfortable.

ii] If you are visiting an unfamiliar ATM machine that is not inside a bank, examine it carefully for any devices. Card skimming devices need to be glued or taped to the card reader‘s slot. Look for “extra” cameras beyond the basic and generally obvious ATM’s security camera.

iii] Do not force your card into card slot.



4] LEBANESE LOOP OR CARD WITH HOLDING- A length of substance is inserted into the card slot .The customers insert the card and the substance traps it. The criminal in this situation often stand behind the customers and when the machine refuses to give up the card and the customer is pressing various buttons, the criminal will suggests that the victim enter their PIN number twice or more as this has happened to them before. The victim does this watch by the criminal and when they don’t receive their card back, the victim walk off to report it to his bank or card provider. The criminal will removes the device and card goes to other cash point or ATM to withdraw money. The other names for this are card jamming and trapping.


LEBANESE LOOP PREVENTION TIPS


i] Before you insert your card into an ATM machine, inspect the card slot for any residue .And if you see any strange object in the card slot, don’t use that ATM machine
and ensure you alert the authority concerned.


ii] If you think anything look suspicious or strange on the ATM machine or around it, report to the bank or police.


iii] Never accept or rely on the help of strangers to retrieve a confiscated card. Don’t press your PIN number in the presence of a stranger in the name of helping you to retrieve your card. They may be scammers themselves memorizing your PIN number.


iv] Report seizure of card immediately. If you can, don’t leave the machine spot [here you will need to have your bank or card provider customers or specifically ATM customers’care unit phone numbers]. Instead call your bank or card provider on the spot.

v] Never allow a bystander to call your bank customers’ care unit on your behave-they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been stopped.
vi] If you must use unfamiliar ATM machine, particularly the off-premises machine or can’t recognize any strange or card seizing objects, why not put your ATM card into the machine as if you are going to make a transaction, but before putting in the ATM PIN number, cancel the transaction so the machine spits the card out? This would help ensure that the ATM is not rigged or tampered with to seize the card. Also, it will ensure that you have not gone as far as feeding the ATM PIN number into the machine or gadget. If the card is stuck inside, at least the thief won’t have an ATM PIN number to use it.




5] CARD SWAPPING- Where a customer’s card is exchange for another card without his knowledge while undertaking an ATM transaction, usually after the criminal has distracted the card holder and successfully observed the victim PIN numbers.


CARD SWAPPING PREVENTION TIPS

I]Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you at an ATM point, even if your card is stuck or you are experiencing difficulty with the transaction. You should not allow anyone to distract you while you are at the ATM.

ii] Never hurry when using an ATM .Make sure you are not distracted, intimidated or rush into transaction by anybody.


iii] Always be wary of strangers asking for or offering to help. While one distracts you, the other may be stealing your card and money.

iv] Always check that you get your own card back from the ATM.


v] Keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swap or take your card.

vi] Carefully secure your card and cash in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving the ATM.


6] MUGGING- Where a victim is physically attack while in the process of conducting an ATM transaction or directly afterwards.



MUGGING PREVENTION TIPS
i] Scan the whole ATM area before you approach it. Avoid using the ATM altogether if there are any suspicious looking individuals around or if it looks too isolated or unsafe.
ii] If it is late at night, try to use a machine that is well-lit and avoid dark, remote locations. Better still; avoid drawing cash late at night or when you are alone.

iii] Leave the ATM immediately if you don’t feel safe or you are suspicious of individuals loitering around. Come back later or use anther ATM.

iv] If you must use off bank premises ATM machine, do not count your cash in front of the ATM.



7] DIVERSION- When criminals affixed messages and signs to an ATM either to make the modification they have made in the ATM look less suspicious or to direct customers to nearby ATM which they have compromised. Such messages and signs could read as: “if your card get stuck, enter your Pin three separate times to retrieve it “, “Slide card here first ‘, “This machine is out of order, use the nearby one.” E.t.c.


DIVERSION PREVENTION TIPS

i] If there is notice on an ATM machine about entering your PIN number several times, do not use that ATM.

ii] Check for unusual instructions on the display screen and for suspicious blank screen. If you suspect that the ATM has been interfered with, proceed to another ATM and inform the authority in charge.

iii] Avoid ATMs which have messages or signs fixed to them indicating that the screen directions have been changed, especially if the message is posted over the card reader. Banks and other ATM owners will not put up messages directing you to specific ATMs, nor would they direct you to use an ATM which has been altered.



8] CASH TRAPPING- Similar to the Lebanese Loop where a thin sleeve traps your card, this time your cash is trapped by a sleeve or device put inside the cash dispenser. Your transaction will operate normally, but you won’t receive the cash you’ve withdrawn. Chances are either you will walk away assuming the machine is out of order or you go to your bank or card provider to lodge complaint. Either way, you have left the machine and the thieves can walk up, remove the device and your cash.


CASH TRAPPING PREVENTION TIPS
i] All the safety tips that are stated under Lebanese Loop are also applicable to this method. Only that in this instance, when checking at the ATM card reader’s slot, you will in addition inspect the machine cash dispenser‘s slot for any strange objects.


9] FAKE PIN PADS AND FAKE ATMS MACHINE- Fraudsters have designed fake PIN pads that they place on top of original ATM PIN pad. Unfortunately, with fake pads, your ATM transaction will proceed normally and you won’t know a scammer has stolen anything until it is too late. Though one has not heard this in Nigeria, yet we need to be security conscious. In some part of the world, fake ATM machines are being installed in and around shopping centers and other public locations. Upon placing your card into the card’s reader, these machines collect your ATM PIN and account information. They do not dispense cash rather, a screen comes up that says the machine is out of cash or out order.


FAKE PIN PADS AND FAKE ATMS MACHINE PREVENTION TIPS

i] Get in the habit of using the same ATM machine for your transactions. Become familiar with it and be able to recognize changes to the machine.

ii] If you are visiting unfamiliar ATM machine that is not inside a bank, examine it for devices, such as: card reader and cash dispenser slots, keypads and the whole machine itself. If anything looks suspicious leave it and go to another machine.

iii] Never force your card into card slot.

iv] If you feel the ATM is not working normally, press the cancel key and withdrew your card and proceed to another ATM, reporting the matter to your card provider.


10] DISTRACTION- You are standing at the cash point when you can feel close to you 2 or more people with mobile phones. They are tapping in numbers but really they are looking at your finger movements as you entering your PIN numbers. When all are put together they will probably have your PIN numbers. Thereafter, One of them taps you on the shoulder and tell you, you have dropped some money and on looking down you see a N200.00 note. As you bend down to pick it up, your card is ejected from the machine and one of the criminals pulls it out of the slot, put it through a skimmer and returns it to the slot just in time for you to stand up. Now, the die is cast, because they have your PIN number, the card details and will be put onto dummy cards to withdraw your money.


DISTRACTION PREVENTION TIPS

i] Do not use the ATM if there are suspicious-looking people around or if it looks too isolated or unsafe.

ii] Avoid opening your purse, bag or wallet while on queue for ATM transaction. Have your card ready in your hand before you approach the ATM.
iii] Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you at an ATM, even if your card stuck or you are having difficulty with the transaction. You should not allow anyone to distract you while at the ATM.
iv] Keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swap, change or take your card.

v] Always check that you get your own card back from the ATM.

vi] Never be in a hurry while using an ATM machine and ensure you are not distracted, intimidated or rushed into your transaction.
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