STRATEGIC PARTNERS
July 7, 2002
HERNDON, Va. -- The Electronic Funds Transfer Association will host a meeting designed to bring together various sectors of the EFT industry to fight the growing problem of "skimming" at ATMs on Tuesday, July 23 at the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Last month EFTA Executive Chairman Kurt Helwig and Mike Hudson, executive vice president of Tidel Engineering and chairman of EFTA's ATM Integrity Task Force, met with Secret Service Special Agent Gregg James, who is leading the Secret Service's investigation into an international skimming ring. (See related story Skim skam man)
According to Helwig, James has agreed to participate in the task force on an ongoing basis. At the inaugural meeting, he will brief attendees on the extent of skimming and ATM money laundering activities and the status of the ongoing criminal investigation. He will also demonstrate how criminals skim data from ATMs.
"We believe this meeting will provide us with a better understanding of the challenges that law enforcement and our industry face in combating the use of the electronic payment network to support fraud and global terror," Helwig said. "Many times during the last 25 years, agencies of the federal government have approached EFTA to seek the insight and experience of our industry. However, given the times in which we live, no past issue has held the significance and importance to our members and the nation's security as this."
In addition to James, EFT industry consultant Noshir Kathok will discuss how ATM networks have begun to address skimming-related problems, Helwig said.
Cost for the one-day meeting is $395 for EFTA members, $525 for non-members. For more information, contact Melanie Renner at the EFTA, 703-435-9800.
