Using ‘tap and go’ will protect against fraud through ‘ghost’ EFTPOS terminals, police say

With card cloning on the rise in Australia, police are urging people to use the ‘tap and go’ chip on their bank cards to protect against ghost terminals.

Police are urging people to use the ‘tap and go’ chip on their bank cards in order to protect themselves from fraud through “ghost” terminals.

Detectives from the NSW fraud squad are investigating a series of fraudulent ATM withdrawals across Sydney’s south-west using “cloned” credit and debit cards.

Cloned cards are made by swiping the magnetic strip data and PIN from legitimate cards and then transferring the information to a plastic card with a magnetic strip, often a cheap store loyalty card.

Top tips for protecting your card:

• Always use ‘tap and go’ — the chip is much more secure than your card’s magnetic strip
• Keep your credit and debit cards secure at all times
• Do not share your PIN with anyone
• Always cover your PIN with your hand
• Do not use suspicious ATMs or EFTPOS machines
• Check your bank statements often and immediately report any irregularities to your bank
• Always keep your card in sight, ask that transactions are completed in front of you
• Keep your receipts and check them against your statements
• Only allow your card to be swiped once during a transaction

“For a cloned card to be used in an ATM they need to have two pieces of information,” Acting Superintendent Matt Craft said.

“They need to have the information on the magnetic strip and your PIN — if they don’t have your PIN they can’t make the transaction.

Source: Using ‘tap and go’ will protect against fraud through ‘ghost’ EFTPOS terminals, police say – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)