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Discuss this article (7 Comments)Lloyds TSB urges all customers to change PIN numbers
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 11 September 2008
ATM WARNING: Lloyds TSB has urged its Middle East customers to change their PIN numbers.
Lloyds TSB Middle East on Thursday urged all their customers urgently change the pin numbers of their debit cards amid reports of a major ATM fraud operation in the UAE.
The bank said it had been made aware that a "relatively small number of customers" had so far been affected by fraudulent activity.
A spokesman said: "We advise that customers change their pin numbers immediately. Customers should also be extra vigilant when using ATMs by protecting their PIN numbers and contacting the relevant bank should anything appear unusual at an ATM machine."
Related: UAE banks hit by wave of card fraud
He added that all fraudulent transactions would be re-credited to accounts.
Lloyds TSB has also put a stop on some card activity in specific countries and called on customers who are planning to travel abroad to consult the bank for advice.
The warning comes a day after HSBC, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD and National Bank of Abu Dhabi said some of their customers had been affected and warned others to change their PIN numbers as a precaution.
HSBC warned customers to be wary when using ATM machines as criminal gangs can place a false card reader on the entry slot of an ATM and a micro-camera above the ATM to read the PIN as it is input.
The information can then be used to manufacture counterfeit cards, known as card skimming.
Card fraud is becoming a growing problem in the UAE, with several high-profile cases coming to light this year.
How has your bank dealt with this crisis? Email the author with your comments.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Chip and PIN wouldn't have helped
Posted by Mark Flap on Sunday 14 September 2008 at 08:40 UAE time
It seems from reports in the papers that this was a network intrusion, not ATMs being tampered with, since it seemed to affect every bank. Not much any of the banks could have done about that, the fault is with the payment processor (or whoever) that had such lousy security in place and got hacked.
Chip and PIN / biometrics etc, only stops fraud being committed in the country where it is installed. But you could still clone a UAE card and use it in any other country where they still use magnetic strip cards (the US, for one). Unless every country in the world is using it, it doesn't really help.
Posted by Mark Flap on Sunday 14 September 2008 at 08:40 UAE time
It seems from reports in the papers that this was a network intrusion, not ATMs being tampered with, since it seemed to affect every bank. Not much any of the banks could have done about that, the fault is with the payment processor (or whoever) that had such lousy security in place and got hacked.
Chip and PIN / biometrics etc, only stops fraud being committed in the country where it is installed. But you could still clone a UAE card and use it in any other country where they still use magnetic strip cards (the US, for one). Unless every country in the world is using it, it doesn't really help.
ATM Fraud
Posted by RZ, Dubai, UAE on Friday 12 September 2008 at 13:48 UAE time
We have bank accounts with EB NBD, HSBC for over 20 years and not one of us has received an sms from either of the banks to date. Alert? I don't think so!!!
Posted by RZ, Dubai, UAE on Friday 12 September 2008 at 13:48 UAE time
We have bank accounts with EB NBD, HSBC for over 20 years and not one of us has received an sms from either of the banks to date. Alert? I don't think so!!!
Lloyds Cop Out!!
Posted by bankobserver, London, UK on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 21:49 UAE time
This is a digrace by Lloyds Bank to use the media 2 days afetr they were aware of the threat !
They have not been pro active at all at informing customers of the bank of the need to change the PIN numbers etc.
In fact when I spoke to the card call centre yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, their advice was that all cards were to be blocked and that new ones will re-issued!! Definitely wires being crossed somewhere!
There is no information on the bank website and they have not in contact with me or any customers that i know of.... The only information that they were pprepared to tell me was that they were monitoring certain accounts according their activity and would sms the account holders if they saw any suspicious activity!
The expression locking a stable door after the horse has left comes to mind!
The attitude in laid back Al Wasel Road opposite Safa Park is definitely one of complacency ! look after your customers rather than pander to your London HO and shareholders! we deserve better here in Dubai!
Posted by bankobserver, London, UK on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 21:49 UAE time
This is a digrace by Lloyds Bank to use the media 2 days afetr they were aware of the threat !
They have not been pro active at all at informing customers of the bank of the need to change the PIN numbers etc.
In fact when I spoke to the card call centre yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, their advice was that all cards were to be blocked and that new ones will re-issued!! Definitely wires being crossed somewhere!
There is no information on the bank website and they have not in contact with me or any customers that i know of.... The only information that they were pprepared to tell me was that they were monitoring certain accounts according their activity and would sms the account holders if they saw any suspicious activity!
The expression locking a stable door after the horse has left comes to mind!
The attitude in laid back Al Wasel Road opposite Safa Park is definitely one of complacency ! look after your customers rather than pander to your London HO and shareholders! we deserve better here in Dubai!
HSBC ATMs status
Posted by nasir, dubai, UAE on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 17:16 UAE time
just went to the HSBC ATM at media city to change my pin, ironically there was a 5 people queue at each of the 2 ATMs and out of these 10 people 7 were HSBC employees wearing HSBC name collars.
Posted by nasir, dubai, UAE on Thursday 11 September 2008 at 17:16 UAE time
just went to the HSBC ATM at media city to change my pin, ironically there was a 5 people queue at each of the 2 ATMs and out of these 10 people 7 were HSBC employees wearing HSBC name collars.
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