News

EAST publishes European ATM fraud update

March 13, 2012

The European ATM Security Team today announced that it has published its first European Fraud Update for 2012.

The EAST report is based on country crime updates from representatives of 19 countries in the Single Euro Payments Area, plus two non-SEPA countries. Selected findings from the report include:

Skimming attacks were reported by all but two countries. Seven reported increases; two noted decreases. It was reported that criminals are leaving devices in place for longer periods of time, in some cases as long as one week.

Skimming-related losses seem to be moving outside of EMV liability shift areas. From January 2011 to January 2012, losses were reported in 14 SEPA nations compared to 50 non-SEPA countries. The U.S. remains the top location for losses, followed by the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Russia.

Cash trapping incidents were reported by seventeen countries, a significant increase since the last report, although this type of attack is now decreasing in some countries as counter-measures are rolled out.

Card trapping incidents were reported by four countries, including one report of the use of razor edge spring traps. Two others reported loop traps, the most common being the Lebanese loop.

Ram raids and ATM burglaries were reported by seven countries. Lobby ATMs in convenience stores are being increasingly targeted. Four countries reported explosive gas attacks.

For more on this topic, visit our trends/statisticsresearch center.