News

EAST guidelines offer advice on recovery of ATM fraud devices

A new publication addresses the proper seizure and examination of fraud devices for purposes of criminal prosecution and the development of countermeasures.

November 25, 2014

Criminals continue to test and produce new types of fraud devices in their ongoing efforts to defeat ATM antifraud measures.

To help operators and authorities to properly secure fraudulent equipment found on ATMs (i.e., card skimmers, card entrapment devices and cash trapping devices), the European ATM Security Team has published "General Advice for Industry and Law Enforcement — Recovering Fraud Devices at an ATM Fraud Crime Scene."

The retrieval of new devices is important to the ATM industry and law enforcement for two reasons, EAST said in its announcement of the guidelines:

1. they offer insight into the evolving criminal modus operandi and help the industry to develop countermeasures; and
2. they provide evidence for law enforcement, and highlight different techniques used by international fraud schemes.

According to EAST, the proper seizure and examination of fraud devices can reduce the likelihood of the contamination, or even destruction, of evidence and criminal data; without this evidence, authorities often find themselves unable to detain and prosecute perpetrators responsible for fraud.

The guidelines are available for download EAST national and associate members (National and Associate). EAST associate membership is free for law enforcement officers.