NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Nov. 8 -- As an outgrowth of its Global Security Task Force research and development program, Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE:DBD), a security industry leader for nearly 150 years, releases its new Advanced Skimming Detection technology for automated teller machines (ATMs). This fraud-deterrence technology engineered into Diebold's Opteva(R) ATMs is the most effective method to guard against card skimming, the act of retrieving consumers' account information from their ATM card magnetic strips via a fraudulent device illegally attached to an ATM. According to Celent (Boston, Mass.) research analyst Red Gillen, total skimming losses account for about $1.2 billion a year worldwide.
An element of Diebold's S.A.F.E. (Secure Anti-Fraud Enhanced) ATM(TM), the detector features a highly sophisticated proprietary detection algorithm that allows the sensor to discriminate between different types of skimmers, environmental factors and cardholder activity and ultimately reduce false alarms. Ken Justice, Diebold vice president, global self-service marketing and management, explained that when a skimmer is attached to an ATM, the new detector sends out an alert, which financial institutions can direct to either the branch alarm system or to the ATM network monitoring system.
"Consequently, financial institutions can then follow a flexible, customizable action plan, which could take the form of a security inspection of the terminal, a police alert through a branch alarm system or monitoring center, or an out-of-service terminal," Justice said. "It's only one layer of many to deter ATM skimming attempts and numerous other frauds ranging from dispenser frauds to PIN spying"
The skimming detection technology, together with the card reader's outer design, confronts criminals with multiple defense mechanisms including an anti-skimming bezel with deterrence protrusion, lead-through indicator lights and jitter technology with speed control for card insertion and return.
"In tracking ATM fraud from the North American market to Europe, the Middle East and Africa and beyond, we're finding that criminals are becoming increasingly hesitant to even attempt to attach a skimming device to a Diebold Opteva ATM because they are privy to the fact that our technology will stop them in their tracks," Justice said.
Founded in 2003, Diebold's Global Security Task Force works to deter criminal fraud attempts by providing industry and consumer education internationally. It also detects and dismantles existing fraud and develops cost-effective and technologically advanced solutions that help financial institutions minimize losses related to fraud attacks while maintaining consumer confidence in the ATM.
About Diebold
Diebold, Incorporated is a global leader in providing self-integrated self-service delivery and security systems and services. Diebold employs more than 15,000 associates with representation in nearly 90 countries worldwide and is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, USA. Diebold reported revenue of $2.9 billion in 2006 and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DBD." For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.diebold.com.
