News

Is social engineering a threat to the ATM channel?

The clear majority of respondents to an EAST online survey believe it is.

September 23, 2014

Social engineering, which relies on techniques such as telephone scamming or "vishing," seems to be on the rise in Europe. And a recent poll by the European ATM Security Team found that it is perceived as a threat to the ATM channel.

According to an article in the EAST September newsletter, of those who responded to the organization's website poll, 67 percent said they believe it is a threat to the ATM channel; 20 percent thought it was not; and 13 percent were unsure. The survey was conducted from January to April.

Social engineering involves gaining sensitive information or unauthorized access privileges by building inappropriate trust relationships. The goal is to trick an individual into providing valuable information or access to that information. Fraudsters prey on the mark's desire to be helpful, as well as his or her attitude of trust and fear of getting into trouble.