The move to plastic-based banking products is dramatically increasing, fuelled by the need to bank the previously underbanked and to fulfil the requirements of the financial services charter.
However, the increased usage of cards at automatic teller machines (ATMs) has also led to criminals exploring new scams that can be used to access consumers’ hard-earned cash, according to First National Bank (FNB).
In an effort to reduce fraud, the bank — a division of FirstRand — has launched FNB ATM Security Week, which runs from August 16 to 22 and aims to help educate consumers on ATM crime.
The week will highlight the tactics used by criminals to take advantage of unsuspecting ATM users and teach consumers how to better protect themselves against ATM crime.
The head of sales and marketing at the FNB Self-Service Channel, Sello Selebi, said: “FNB ATM Security Week will benefit all South Africans who have a need to use ATMs. By increasing public awareness around ATM security issues, we will ultimately go a long way towards disarming the criminals.
“Knowledge provides the armour that consumers can use to protect themselves from criminal minds.”
Selebi says there is no doubt that ATM usage is on the increase.
“At FNB, approximately four million people transact on our ATMs per week and this continues to grow as we roll out FNB mini ATMs to previously underserviced areas.”
While FNB has many initiatives under way to take banking products and services to the previously underbanked, there is also a great need for education. Many people using this infrastructure are illiterate and rely on getting help from strangers to conduct a transaction. This instantly makes them a target for fraudsters.
A personal identification number (PIN) is the key to accessing any account, and this should be kept safe and secret at all times, adds Selebi.
“This number should never be disclosed to anyone, not even a bank official. We also advise that customers use one hand to cover the keypad while entering their PIN to ensure that no one can observe the number being entered. Customers who require assistance should ask for help inside the bank.”
“Consumers work hard for their money, and we want to help them keep it safe. At FNB we strive to stay one step ahead of the criminals and in this way alert our customers to the latest scams.
“Some new tricks that customers need to watch out for [include] card swapping, a technique where distraction is used to swap a card or card skimming, where a fraudster swipes a card through a device, thereby copying the details. Ultimately customers should be aware at all times and never trust anyone.”
Selebi concluded: “Through FNB ATM Security Week, we trust that South African consumers will become more aware of their surroundings and increasingly be able to identify threatening situations before they are taken advantage of. The tips and advice given this week will help make ATM usage safe and convenient.” — I-Net Bridge