ATM Fraud - How Can You Protect Your ATMs?

Criminals are always looking for ways to steal money from your ATM. They replicate cards, force fallback transactions, and even hack into processors.

How do ATM Cash-Out attacks happen?

Hackers send out phishing emails to networks that can infect computers with malware. The malware could allow hi-tech hackers to disable anti-theft and anti-fraud features, such as necessitating PIN numbers and overriding daily transaction limits. These criminals would then create duplicate cards from accounts held at the bank, visit bank branded ATMs, and deplete money from the ATM.

This level of fraud is very unusual, but more importantly is not a problem with the ATM. Moreover, the network infected and compromised by the malware is accountable for losses.

What threats do ATM owners face?

Risk is inherent in every venture. No one is invulnerable to the threat of theft; every business faces the danger of loss of property, goods, and money. The most common threats ATM owners face are:

EMV Fraud – Visa and Mastercard converted to the chip card in 2016, creating a more secure way of conducting transactions. ATMs that are not EMV compliant are more vulnerable to fraud.
Forced Fallback transactions – Skillful criminals bypass EMV transactions, forcing the processor to “fallback” to the unsecure magnetic strip.
Theft – Thieves are always looking for a way to gain access to the cash inside your ATM. Some even steal the entire machine.

While these very real threats do exist, there are ways to combat them.

How to protect yourself from ATM fraud and theft

We understand the threats ATM owners face and want to share the precautionary measures everyone should take:

Be EMV Compliant – Upgrading your ATM to accept chip cards will considerably reduce the risk of fraud.
Keep Software Up-To-Date – Updating your machine to the current software helps reduce exposure to external risks. Our team of knowledgeable technicians can assist you in making sure you have the latest software.
Disable Fallback Transactions – Disabling fallback transactions stops fraudsters from forcing a magstripe transaction. Our trained Help Desk can walk you through disabling these transactions, thus helping add an additional preventative measure against thieves.
Protect Your Investment with An Enclosure – AOne ATM offers a variety of secure steel enclosures for both indoor and outdoor stationed ATMs. These enclosures are made in the USA, come in a variety of colors, and are proven to dissuade thieves. There is no greater way to protect your machine than an enclosure from AOne ATM.
Invest in An ATM Alarm – An ATM Alarm is a great way to scare off would be burgles and vandals. We offer the IIDAS ATM Alarm, a motion sensitive, 130dB alarm with a door sensor. The alarm can detect impact, abuse, abrupt rocking, and is easy to install.