Dave VanHorn wrote:

>> Well, the quality of his web pages, and the short leap from
>> task description to possible application as a credit card skimmer
>> didn't make me feel good either.
> 
> You know of course, that your pin does not live on any of the three 
> tracks, right?

Of course.
But micro cameras have made it pretty easy to get a PIN
from careless users. When was the last time you checked
your ATM machine valence for unusual or non-standard
coverings? Our national newsmagazine just ran a 1 hours show
dedicated entirely to the tricks of the trade, to teach
consumers what to be aware of. They showed how a group
of well organized crooks outfitted an ATM in a busy
Calgary location with a camera and faceplate card
skimmer, in LESS THAN 30 seconds.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1105142446966_16/?hub=WFive

"In just two hours time, the gang got away with 35
customers' card information. In just a few days they
had collected enough information to steal nearly $650,000."

What really peeves me is that much more secure systems
than mag stripe technology exists (e.g. smartcards),
but the banking industry isn't YET loosing enough money
to justify the upgrade. Maybe we need to refuse to use their
systems until they upgrade them. And TELL THEM THIS!

"
Banking experts estimate it would cost the banking system in
Canada approximately $500-million to produce the chip
technology (smart cards) for the debit card system while
debit card fraud costs a mere $44-million in 2003 in comparison.
One might think the banks have concluded it's cheaper to pay
off the bad guys than it is to help the good guys."

It's only a matter of time before your area sees the same
criminal activity, so please be aware of anything 'unusual'
about your ATM.

Robert

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