NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Automated teller machines have always provided users with unrestricted access to electronic banking services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to those services, Diebold Inc. will now give consumers unlimited access to an exclusive ATM security Web site that provides invaluable information about how ATM users can increase personal safety and avoid being victims of fraud.
Located at www.atmconsumersafety.com, the newly unveiled site provides consumer tips to protect against crimes ranging from robbery to electronic fraud. The Web site also highlights industry news and alerts about emerging ATM crimes.
Examples of some of the security tips, provided by the Electronic Funds Transfer Association and the Los Angeles Police Department, include the following:
- Be wary of people offering help, or of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby.
- Do not wear expensive jewelry or take other valuables to the ATM.
- Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are in a secure place.
"Using ATMs at odd hours or in remote locations can be a safer process if consumers are armed with the right information," said Anna Istnick, team leader, Diebold Global Security Task Force. "The new Web site is part of an ongoing, proactive approach to educating consumers and promoting safety awareness in the ATM industry. As criminals become more technologically savvy, educating people about ATM scams and fraudulent activity becomes more of a priority."
Diebold is the first ATM manufacturer to produce a Web site focused solely on ATM crime prevention. The company encourages financial institutions to provide links to the site from their own Web sites so consumers can make informed decisions to increase their own personal safety and better secure their personal finances.
Industry estimates put the cost of ATM fraud at approximately $100 million annually in the U.S., with growth rates in excess of 35 percent in other countries.
