Barclays Unveil Secure ATM 21/12/2004

A new cash machine has been unveiled by Barclays to thwart thieves' attempts at attaching 'skimming devices'. 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. This allows fraudsters to record the magnetic strip and reproduce the card which can be used to withdraw cash with the recorded pin number.

As well as having a curved card slot (skimming devices can only be used on flat surfaces), sensors inside can detect non-standard cards and shut down the ATM.

Trials using the machine have already led to a "massive reduction" in fraud and were so successful the machines will be installed across the country early next year.

Mark Bowerman of 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.