The new anti-skimming device has several features that the bank claims will make it more difficult, if not impossible, for criminals to attach copiers to the cash machines. In addition, the Dutch bank has also placed instructions on the ATMs to make consumers even more conscious of safe cash withdrawals procedures.
Recently, ABN Amro has been the subject of much fraudulent activity, with criminals copying the magnetic strip of client cards and obtaining the PIN number to make illegal withdrawals. As a result, the bank has suffered financially as, under its policy, it will always refund the financial losses to the client if the funds were lost this way.
Gijs Schreuder, head of retail payments at ABN Amro, said: Skimming is really distressing for clients who have experienced it. So our top priority is to curb this crime. Fortunately these are still only incidents, especially when you take into account that ABN Amro processes 100 million withdrawals each year. Cash withdrawal ATMs remain the fastest and safest way of accessing cash. Over 97% of cash withdrawals take place through ATMs.
ABN Amro expects all of its ATMs to be fitted with the new device by the middle of 2007.
