Next time you use an automated teller machine or ATM, this warning from the Central Bank of Samoa may come in handy especially if you’re visiting Samoa.
The Bank says that at times there may be certain devices on the ATM machine that have been installed by a professional fraudster in order to read ATM card details.
These skimming devices are installed into the ATM machines in the slot area where a person inserts their ATM card.
Last week police arrested two of three suspects connected with such a scheme.
Late in 2015, banks in Samoa raised the possibility of ATM theft after it was revealed that there had been some activity in Fiji.
Banks were advised to prepare to counter ATM card skimming methods and devices.
The Central Bank of Samoa provides pictures of what the ATM skimming devices look like, gives guidelines on how to recognize devices that ATM thieves use and asks the public to report such activity to police right away.
Some signs that should make you suspicious:
A magnetic card reading device installed on the ATM machine looks odd and when one inserts their ATM card, the slot is quite loose.
A micro camera is positioned within eyesight of the keypad where a person punches in their card number.
A person is using multiple cards on an ATM machine and the cards are swallowed by the machine.
Samoa police say the three suspects involved in the BSP ATM theft came to Samoa from Fiji.
Two were arrested and a third is believed to have left the country.
The three are described as Asian and the amount which was withdrawn by the fraudsters was $ST18,000.
