EAST releases first round of ATM crime stats for 2016

The European ATM Security Team has published its first European fraud update for the current year. The update is based on country crime updates from representatives of 19 countries in the Single Euro Payments Area, and from four non-SEPA countries.

Twenty countries reported card skimming at ATMs. Criminal use of M2 Throat Inlay Skimming Devices (so designated in EAST guidelines for standardized terminology) appears to be increasing. This type of device is placed inside the card reader throat in front of the shutter. Three countries reported such attacks.

The trend of losses due to skimming occurring outside of EMV chip liability shift areas continues. These losses were reported in 44 non-SEPA countries and territories and three SEPA nations. The U.S., Indonesia and the Philippines continue to rank as the top three locations for these losses.

Skimming attacks on other terminal types were reported by 12 countries; seven countries reported such attacks on unattended payment terminals at petrol stations.

Fifteen countries reported cash trapping attacks and five countries reported transaction reversal fraud incidents.

Three countries reported ATM malware and logical security attacks; two involving 'black-box' devices to enable unauthorized cash dispensing. 

Ram raids and ATM burglaries were reported by 10 countries; explosive gas attacks were also reported by 10 countries. One country reported the use of nitroglycerine to blow open an ATM safe — the first such occurrence reported to EAST.