CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- The ATM Industry Association announced that it has formed an independent Global ATM Security Alliance (GASA) to combat the growing threats of cross border debit card fraud, skimming, ATM scams and ATM crime.
The objective of the alliance will be to protect the ATM industry from crime and fraud perpetrated by highly mobile global crime syndicates, according to a news release.
"We aim to combine in a united alliance huge global security resources and expertise," said Mike Lee, ATMIA's international director. "We want the message to go out that organized crime should get out of our industry altogether.
"Countries from Canada, United States and the United Kingdom in the Northern Hemisphere to Australia and South Africa in the Southern Hemisphere are represented on the alliance."
GASA will operate initially through international conference calls to define its mission and organize into project teams, the release said.
The organization brings together law enforcement agencies, international card schemes, multinational manufacturers, industry associations in financial services, ATM national networks, cash in transit operators and security consultants.
GASA is made up of Visa International, MasterCard International, the Flying Squad New Scotland Yard (United Kingdom), Europol (Europe), South African Banking Risk Intelligence Centre, the South African Fraud Prevention Services, Banksys (Belgium), Interac (Canada), PULSE EFT (United States), LINK Interchange Network (United Kingdom), Cashcard Australia (Australia), BBA (British Bankers Association), ABA (Australian Bankers Association), APACS (United Kingdom), ATMIA, Electronic Funds Transfer Association (United States, NCR, Triton, Securitas (United Kingdom and Europe) and Secure Matrix India (India).
