News

M&T Bank rolls out its own anti-skimming solution

November 6, 2011

According to BankInfoSecurity.com, M&T Bank Corp. has released its own anti-skimming solution dubbed the "Blocker."

The Blocker is a protective device that uses coated steel plates installed around an ATM's card reader to deter criminals from attaching their own card readers to the ATM. The bank has already installed the Blocker on 400 of its 2,000 ATMs.

"It's a very simple design that does not interfere with any technology," said Carolyn Criscitiello, vice president in M&T's Alternative Banking and Retail Services division. "It physically blocks someone from putting a bezel [a rim that forms a protective covering] over a card-reader and acts as a shield."

M&T has applied for patent protection for the Blocker and plans to make the device available for licensing to the banking and ATM equipment and servicing industries.

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