News

ANZ hit with another ATM skimming scandal

April 1, 2013

Once again, Melbourne, Australia-based ANZ is having to alert customers that their card data might have been breached in an ATM skimming operation. The announcement comes almost exactly a year after a skimming scandal that affected more than 500 customers. 

However, it appears so far that the recent theft won't touch last year's in size — that incident cost ANZ in the neighborhood of $1 million (US$820,000).

According to Australia's 3 News, the bank discovered late last week that "a small number" of unauthorized transactions had been made with ANZ customer cards, as well as with cards from other banks that were previously used at compromised ANZ ATMs.

Managing retail director Kerri Thompson said the bank became aware yesterday afternoon that a small number of fraudulent transactions were made on some cards from locations in Bulgaria.

"We're aware that these fraudsters monitor news media reports so we're reluctant to reveal too much about the situation," Thompson said. "However it does appear that these fraudsters have used hit-and-run tactics — placing devices on ATMs for a short time — to bypass our frequent checks."

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