The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted Nigerians about a rising Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card swapping fraud.
The EFCC gave the alert on Monday in a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
Oyewale explained that fraudsters commit the crime on the pretext of assisting a confused bank customer at an ATM.
Having done so, they swiftly swap the card while memorising the PIN.
The Commission disclosed that it recorded ATM
card-swapping also at various service delivery points, and Point of Sale (POS) terminals.
The EFCC said:
“These cards get stuck in the machine due to a wrong pin and the fraudster quickly abandons the victim, advising the victim to report to the bank while making away with the victim’s card to make immediate withdrawals from the account.”
To avoid falling victim, the EFCC encouraged the public to use the following tips:
“1. Cards should be kept in sight or a safe place. Whenever you get your card back after making any payment, make sure it is actually your card and not just one that looks similar.
“2. Regularly check your bank statements for any unknown transaction.
“3. Set transaction alerts to monitor any activity on your accounts or with your bank card.
“4. Cover the keypad with your hand or body when entering your PIN at POS terminal/ATM machines.
“5. Do not be in a rush to make payments or withdrawals and request for assistance only from officials of the bank.
“6. Call your banks to block your ATM cards immediately when your cards are stuck in the ATM machines or whenever you observe any irregularity.
“7. Ensure you know your bank’s ATM offline blocking code and quickly make use of it whenever it is misplaced or stolen.
“8. Dial the USSD code 966911# and follow the pop-up instructions to block your ATM card instantly.”
