By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Bank of India (SBI) has admitted that at present it does not have the necessary mechanism in place to make the ATMs a foolproof one which would ensure that the customers are not duped by the fraudster.
While admitting that ATM fraud cases is increasing in various parts of the country especially in IT Hub cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Asst Manager, ATM Switch Center, Mumbai MSS Srinivas said that the SBI is also helpless in having a regular check of their ATMs on a daily basis since they have around 25,000 ATMs across the country .“As per the present set up, the general manager is looking after a large number of ATMs which makes it impossible for conducting a check on a regular basis. In Shillong, there are two General Managers who are looking after the ATMs across the city,” Srinivasan said while replying to a query raised by SP (City) M Kharkrang during a one-day awareness workshop on the ATM fraud cases which was jointly organised by the State police department and SBI at DGP Conference Hall here on Saturday.
When asked why the SBI is not putting person to man the ATMs, the SBI official said that the normal trend which is prevailing world wide is that no one is used to man the ATM.
“But we have engaged certain security people to man the ATMs which is located in highly sensitive areas,” SBI assistant general manager informed.
Meanwhile, Srinavasan said that it would also be difficult for the SBI to put five cameras in one single ATM.
“With 25,000 ATMs under the Bank, the matter requires a thorough examination since the excercise would require a large amount of funds,” the SBI official said while replying to a suggestion by one of the participant as to why the bank is not increasing the cameras so as to make the ATMs more secured.
Meanwhile, he informed that the fraudsters are also involving in various kinds of tricks to dupe the customers.
Giving an insight on the modus operandi of the fraudster, he said that the fraudsters would target those cabins with two ATMs.
“They would occupy one of the ATMs in advance. They would allow the ATM user to swipe his card then one of the accused would ask him to use another machine as the first one is not working,” Srinavasan said.
Then, the second accused who has read the pin number would enter the cabin and usethe first machine where the user had already swiped his card.
“He would then withdraw the cash from the first machine,” he said, adding, “We have been informed that there are many customers who are being dupe in this manner”.The SBI official said that other trick which the fraudster use to carry out is they try to exchange the ATM cards of the customers.
“The fraudster attempts to exchange the ATM cards once they get the pin number of the customers. In this manner, they are able to draw the whole money from the account. The fraudster tries to exchange the cards only of those customers who have a huge balance in their accounts,” Srivanasan said while making a presentation on the ATM fraud cases.
While suggesting the customers on the steps which they require to take to prevent the fraudster from duping them, he said that the first major step that the customers are to take is to secure their pin number.
“While withdrawing money from the ATM, the customers should cover the keypad with one of their hand so that no one can see their pin number,” Srinivasan said while adding that if the ATMs are giving a problem the customers should not seek the help from any of the strangers.
Meanwhile, the SBI official also urged upon the customers that after they swipe their card they should not leave the place until the welcome image resumes in the monitor of the ATMs.
He further urged upon the customers to register their mobile numbers with their respective bank branches so that they could be alerted on every transactions which are being make from their accounts.