‘ATM scandal exposes outdated, insecure machines’

LAHORE: Automated Teller Machine (ATM) skimming is a global crime which falls in universal crime category so the cyber crime controlling institutions should effectively play their role in checking it as it is also a cyber terrorism in Pakistan while the state and banks should protect the consumers’ money.

These views were expressed by the experts in Jang Economic Session on ‘ATM skimming scandals – who is responsible – what consumer should do’. The panellists were The Bank Of Punjab Chairman Dr Pervaiz Tahir, Rana Sajjad, Khwaja Khawar Rashid, Qaisra Sheikh and Falahat Imran while the session was hosted by Sikandar Lodhi.

Dr Pervaiz Tahir said the trend of using and skimming ATM is on the rise in Pakistan likewise in the world which attracted global hackers’ attention; so this crime now falls in category of universal crime.

He called for identifying the people involved in this heinous crime. He believed that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) rules and regulations are already very strict just need implementation while banks association should form a special unit to counter it. He said FIA cyber crime wing is fully technologically equipped and effectively playing its role but banks are not contributing their role. He said ATM skimming has exposed the outdated and insecure machines. Now the banks should adopt security measures and install secured modern machines besides providing security measures outside the machines too.

Rana Sajjad said that FIA and other institutions performance could be made satisfactory provided the banks strictly implement SBP regulations and replace the outdated and old ATMs with new and secured ones.

He suggested introduction of double security checks ATM cards besides installation of modern ATMs at retail stores to resolve the issues. He believed that majority of problems could be resolved by implementing the SBP guidelines and regulations.

Khwaja Khawar Rashid said consumer data theft and withdrawal of money from accounts exposed the weakness of the banking system. He said traders’ accounts theft is not new. Now ATM skimming is beginning of a new fraud. He called for the FIA to arrest the criminals involve in the crime.

He suggested that the public should not use crowded ATM and did not ignore any minor change in the ATM machines and inform the bank immediately. Qaisra Sheikh said that ATM skimming exposed poor performance of commercial banks and low quality ATMs which worries consumers. She suggested that the SBP and banks could use the chamber of commerce platform to create awareness among the public and guide them how to secure them while using plastic money. She said almost 600 people had so far been affected by ATM skimming and their money was not returned to them.

Falahat Imran said that use of plastic money increased in Pakistan. She called for installing modern machines and commercial banks immediately resolve this issue besides media creating awareness among the masses against ATM skimming.