Stopping the Skimming: Wincor Nixdorf to Offer Thwarts for Thefts

AUSTIN, Texas – Wincor Nixdorf, a worldwide provider of cash solutions, is introducing what it calls one of the only security devices that can protect ATM users from fraud attacks such as the Lebanese loop and card skimming. The new features will be available as options later this year for the company’s ProCashT ATM product family and can be retrofitted to the company’s other ATMs. Card skimming attacks occur when the account number on the ATM card is read via a fraudulent device called a skimmer placed over the card reader so that the card can be fraudulently duplicated. In addition, a miniature camera or a nearby observer can capture the customer’s PIN number. The Lebanese loop is a sleeve of plastic or other material that is placed in the card reader, trapping the card and preventing it from being retained by the card reader. When the customer leaves the ATM, the thief then has access to the ATM card and account information. Wincor Nixdorf will be deploying special card-holding devices and sensors to combat these attacks.