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13 February 2007

Westpac steps up the fight against ATM fraud

Westpac today announced that it will begin accelerating its deployment of a unique anti-skimming technology known as 'Jitter', enhancing the security of its ATM fleet.

More than 1,000 – approximately two-thirds – of Westpac's nationwide ATM fleet are now fitted with the technology, making it the leading deployer of the advanced fraud countermeasure.

'Jitter' (developed by NCR) employs a rapid stop-start motion as the user's card is inserted into the ATM and when it is returned, which prevents a fraudulent skimming device from reading the information on the card's magnetic stripe. The technology remains invisible to the consumer and potential criminals.

Since installation began in July last year, the number of known card-skimming incidents occurring at Westpac's 'Jitter'-protected ATMs has fallen to zero.

"The results speak for themselves," said Wayne Beckley, Head of Cash and ATMs at Westpac, "which is why we have been upgrading our ATMs at the rate of almost six per day to provide the broadest possible coverage and protection – not just for Westpac customers but for everyone who uses our ATMs.

"We expect to complete the rollout of 'Jitter' technology to Westpac's 1600 strong ATM fleet by the end of 2008. Where an ATM is not upgradeable, we will replace it."

Card fraud, PIN theft and other ATM crime have received a great deal of attention in recent months which, according to a national poll in 2006, appears to have raised consumers' awareness of financial fraud to the point where a majority now take precautions when performing a transaction.

The survey of 1,100 consumers, conducted by Galaxy Research for NCR Corporation in Australia, found that 81 per cent of ATM users have taken simple security precautions when using an ATM and more than half (58 per cent) now always take some type of anti-fraud precaution.

These include: covering the keypad with their free hand while entering their PIN; checking to see if someone was standing nearby who might be watching them enter their PIN; and checking to see if there was anything suspicious attached to the ATM.

Ninety-two percent of ATM users said they would feel more secure using an ATM knowing it had been fitted with anti-skimming features such as 'Jitter'.

The survey also found that the ATM retained its position as one of the most popular and trusted banking channels for Australian consumers. According to the poll, 85 per cent of Australians use them (rising to 99 per cent of 25-34 year-olds) and 89 percent of adults say they trust them. More than half the population (54 per cent) says ATMs are the main way they withdraw cash.

Ross Checkley, vice president of NCR's Financial Solutions Division in the South Pacific, Australia's largest supplier of ATMs, said it was crucial for financial institutions to maintain the extremely high level of trust consumers place in the self-service channel.

"Westpac's nationwide deployment of the 'Jitter' technology will ensure that the thousands of ATM transactions that take place every day without incident continue to do so," said Checkley. "Also, what is clear from the opinion survey is that consumers are equally determined to keep ATM banking secure by taking some simple, common-sense precautions."

'Jitter' (or Enhanced Card Drive) is just one of the elements of NCR Secure, a range of complementary advanced security options designed to protect the entire ATM channel, including card security, software and the ATM itself.

ATM Security tips

• Be aware of who is around you when you use an ATM – is someone trying to look over your shoulder when you enter your PIN or is there anyone who looks suspicious or makes you feel uncomfortable? Be wary of people offering 'help' at the ATM.
• Stand close to the ATM and shield the keypad with your free hand when you enter your PIN.
• Before you enter your card, look to see if there is anything that doesn't look right on the front of the ATM – particularly around the card slot, the cash dispense slot and the keypad. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to use ATMs you are familiar with.
• Report anything suspicious to the nearest bank official or security staff, even if it appears to be trivial. Your action could prevent others from being the victim of ATM fraud.
• Never give your PIN to anyone or write it down.
• Check your bank statements to ensure there are no unusual transactions.