ATM burglaries: an ongoing issue

Just when you thought you had everything under control, these trans-national, organized criminal rings figure out another way to burglarize your ATMs.

The OBA received a report this month of a bank who placed mitigation protocols in place and stopped what could have been a significant loss. Those of you in small towns who think this will never happen to you … think again!  Mitigations to consider now:

• Change the universal ATM key! If you don’t, check your insurance coverage to make sure an event of this nature is covered.
• Replace existing hood switch to a mercury switch.
• If you receive a hood-open alarm, shut the ATM down immediately until the machine can be physically (not just visually) inspected.
• Educate your local law enforcement about these ATM attacks. Ask them to keep a closer eye on ATMs between 2-5 a.m. Feel free to print out any of the OBA Fraud Alerts or alerts published by Diebold Nixdoft or the U.S. Secret Service.

Report any pre-attack surveillance visits (hood opened and pictures taken but no loss of cash), attempts or successful ATM attacks to your local law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service Task Force immediately.