Australian ATMs hit as part of international scam

http://frankston-leader.whereilive.com.au

A KARINGAL Hub ATM was fitted with a skimming device as part of an international scam.

The Commonwealth Bank notified hundreds of customers after the manager noticed the device on May 1.

Carrum Downs security guard David Wilson said $1500 was stolen from his account before the bank contacted him.

"I was told the money had been taken out of my account in six different transactions from someone in the UK," Mr Wilson said.

Commonwealth Bank spokesman Steve Batten said a handful of customers were affected.

"The bank manager noticed the device on that day, but we believe it had been up for 24 hours," he said.

The device extracts customer data, including account details and PIN numbers.

The bank contacted customers who had used the ATM within a day or two before May 1 and after, telling them to change their PIN numbers.

"If they don't change it within 24 hours of being contacted, the bank reduces their maximum withdrawal to $200," Mr Batten said. "We definitely reimburse within five days when customers have been genuinely defrauded."

Frankston detective Sen-Constable Paul Busuttil said the crime was being investigated and urged customers to check their bank statements.

"Anyone who thinks they have been defrauded should contact us as soon as possible," he said.

To help protect yourself against the scam, the Australian Bankers Association advises anyone using an ATM to always use a free hand to cover the key pad while entering a PIN number.

According to the Australian Payments Clearing Association, $45 million was skimmed from Australian-issued credit charge and cards in the financial year to June 30 last year.