Card skimming has been widely reported in the media and is on the increase.

Skimming occurs when card details are illegally captured from the magnetic stripe and then used to produce duplicate cards. Often, fraudsters attempt to capture the PIN through "shoulder surfing" or “hidden cameras,” said Jon Stanfield, Horizon Credit Union General Manager.

“This is an industry wide issue that all ATM owners are dealing with,” said Jon Stanfield.

One of the key things that cardholders can do to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of card skimming is to protect their PINs. We are working to help educate the public about how to keep their PIN safe and to be vigilant when they’re using their cards.

“Take measures like covering the keypad every time you type in your PIN – both at ATMs and when using EFTPOS – and never divulge your PIN to anyone,” said Mr Stanfield.

The Australian Payments Clearing Association (APCA), the payments industry self-regulatory body, has launched a new website to help promote consumer PIN awareness, at: www.apca.com.au/protectyourpin

The website explains how consumers can protect themselves from most skimming attacks. A link to this site can also be found at on our website under cards, security.Another important public message is to contact the owner of the ATM if you suspect the ATM has been tampered with.
If a skimming device is discovered:

• Do not touch the device.
• Contact the ATM owner
• Call the police immediately so that the crime scene is not compromised. That way vital evidence will be preserved for ongoing police investigations.