'Fraud-proof' cash machine unveiled by Barclays

The first tamper-proof cash machine has been unveiled by Barclays.

09:27 17 December 2004

The first tamper-proof cash machine has been unveiled by Barclays.

The machine, which is to be installed across London, is fitted with a curved covering over the card slot, which prevents 'skimming' machines from being attached to it.

Skimming is one of the favourite methods of cash machine fraud currently used.

Thieves attach a card reader to the outside of the card slot on a cash-point, and a miniature camera above the keypad.

The magnetic strip on the card is then recorded alongside the pin number types in, fraudsters can then make up a dummy card and use it to withdraw cash from a customer's account.

Cash-point fraud is seen as preferable to using a cloned card on the internet or in shops as it lowers the risk of detection. Vigilant shop staff often spot fraudsters' atypical behaviour and internet purchases can often be traced.

The new Barclays machine has a curved card slot as current skimming devices can only be attached to flat surfaces.

Inside the card slot are sensors, which monitor what is inserted into the slot. If they detect anything other than the insertion of a valid card, the ATM will shut down.

Secret trials using the machine, which has been developed by Barclays, have already led to a "massive reduction" in fraud and were so successful the machines will be installed across the country early next year.

Barnaby Davies, Barclays' head of ATMs, said: "It's been amazing. Criminals very quickly caught on that these machines simply could not be used for skimming, and attacks on our machines dropped dramatically."

However, Mark Bowerman at the Association for Payment Clearing Services warned the public to be careful over Christmas, as skimmers are more active than ever over this period.

Mr Bowerman added that chip and pin would also be a huge help in tackling this kind of fraudulent crime.

He said: "We hope that, in the longer term, chip and pin will be the real killer for skimming."

Chip and pin cards hold the card user's data on a microchip, which cannot be easily read or copied by skimming devices, making a chip and pin card far more protected against fraudsters.