Article

Not just a problem 'over there': The migrating threats of ATM explosive and deep insert skimming attacks

Deep insert skimming, which first took hold in Europe, is now spreading like wildfire in the US. And explosive attacks, once viewed as 'not our problem,' have been carried out against four California ATMs in the past 6 months. What's up with that? Find out — and learn how to protect your own fleet — in a free webinar.

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October 12, 2017 by Suzanne Cluckey — Owner, Suzanne Cluckey Communications

ATM deployers in the U.S. thought they had ATM skimming under control. But according to security experts, "deep insert" skimming, which started in Europe, has recently made the jump to North America and has begun to spread like wildfire across ATM networks in the U.S.

Deep insert skimming devices, also known as 'card reader internal skimming devices,' are placed deep inside the card reader of an ATM or self-service terminal.

There they can remain for days or even weeks — undetected, systematically stealing payment data from countless cards.

Standard anti-skimming solutions, including those that rely on jamming technology and detection, are useless against deep insert skimmers. These defenses simply were not designed to protect terminals against this type of stealth attack.

However, this does not mean that deep insert skimming cannot be prevented.

Join a free, one-hour webinar on Thursday, Oct. 19, to learn how technology innovation and industry collaboration are helping to counter the threat posed by deep insert skimming.

You'll also learn about another emerging threat that is just now making its way across the pond — ATM explosive attacks.

This type of criminal attack not only puts at risk the ATM and the cash it holds, but also presents a very real danger of serious injury or death to innocent victims, and a costly threat of damage and destruction to surrounding property.

Long a problem in South Africa, explosive attacks are now becoming a global challenge.

A 2015 article by Bloomberg reported on the rising number of explosives in the U.K., and said that with EMV coming to the U.S. " … it may be only a matter of time until the back of an American ATM comes rocketing off."

Recent events in California would seem back up the prediction. In April, police in Los Angeles arrested a man suspected of carrying out two ATM bombings (both unsuccessful) in L.A. and Burbank.

In July and August two more attacks were carried out by a pair of men in the San Diego area, an NBC News affiliate reported. One of those attacks succeeded; police now have one of the alleged perpetrators in custody.

Unfortunately, standard ink-staining products are not effective as a deterrent against these attacks; criminals know that the force of an explosion will destroy a staining system before it can activate to "spoil the prize."

But deterrence is possible. In the webinar, industry expert Henco Bezuidenhout will describe how new shockwave dye-stain technology has helped reduce deadly ATM bombings in South Africa.

Bezuidenhout will be joined by Claire Shufflebotham, TMD Security global security director, and Tom Moore, TMD Security managing director for North America, for an in-depth discussion of existing threats and emerging trends in ATM attacks.

Register now for Deep insert skimming and ATM explosive attacks: Case studies in preventing ATM crime migration, and join the webinar at 2 p.m. EST on Oct. 19 to get the answers to these questions:

Why does deep insert skimming need a different anti-skimming approach?
What can ATM deployers do today to protect their networks?
What are the latest trends in ATM explosive attacks?
How did shockwave technology reduce ATM bombings in South Africa?

You'll also have the opportunity during the webinar to ask your own questions and learn how to best protect your ATMs from criminal attacks.

About Suzanne Cluckey

Suzanne’s editorial career has spanned three decades and encompassed all B2B and B2C communications formats. Her award-winning work has appeared in trade and consumer media in the United States and internationally.