News

Two anti-ATM crime groups join forces

December 10, 2003

LONDON - The Global ATM Security Alliance (GASA) was recently elected as a new member of Banknote Watch, a group that raises awareness of staining technologies in the reduction of ATM theft, in a reciprocal membership arrangement between the two organizations.

GASA was formed by the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) in June 2003 to protect the industry from cross-border ATM crime and card fraud. It is made up of law enforcement and fraud prevention agencies, card schemes, ATM networks, industry associations, manufacturers, cash-in-transit groups and security consultancies, with representation from the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, South Africa, Canada, Australia and India.

"GASA is very pleased to work with a strong UK initiative such as BNW, geared to making it harder for thieves to get away with stealing cash by ensuring that banknotes stained during robberies are not likely to be accepted," said Mike Lee, ATMIA's international director. "Both organizations can feed each other with a wide range of useful security information and also help disseminate important messages about crime prevention to a wider audience."

GASA's main projects include the creation of a global ATM crime database, a fraud alert system, best practice manuals for ATM security and an industry communications program.

"As more and more ATM deployers turn to cash degradation systems as a primary form of defense against organized crime, it makes sense that we should share our combined expertise and experience," said Banknote Watch chairman Alan Townsend. "There is a natural synergy between BNW and GASA, which I am sure will develop into a mutually beneficial partnership in the world-wide fight against ATM crime."