Despite a growing awareness of automated-teller-machine (ATM) fraud, nearly 70 percent of Canadians say they won’t change how often they use ATMs.
This was one finding of a study conducted by Ipsos Reid for NCR Corp. The manufacturer released the survey as it launched an enhanced suite of ATM-security measures for financial institutions.
“The findings in this study demonstrate that financial institutions and organizations such as Interac and the Canadian Bankers Association are doing a good job of communicating ways that consumers can protect themselves against ATM fraud,” said Nicholas Hames, vice-president of NCR’s Financial Solutions Division in Canada. “An example of this is Interac’s “Protect Your Pin” initiative that was developed to increase cardholder awareness around PIN protection.”
Canadian consumers seem to be heeding the advice. When asked about the activities they undertake to avoid fraud when using ATMs:
— More than six in ten (64 percent) check to determine that there is no one loitering in the area while they use the ATM;
— 62 percent shield their PIN number and the keypad on the ATM;
— 49 percent check around the card reader and the cash slot before using the ATM;
— Close to half (47 percent) of females said they use ATMs only during daylight hours; 25 percent of males restrict their use to daylight hours.
— Only 15 percent said they do not undertake any of these actions to avoid being defrauded.
Since Canadians are the world’s highest users of ATMs at 43 transactions per person annually, banks know that maintaining consumer trust in the ATM is paramount. In its news release NCR said that is why it and other manufacturers, financial institutions, ATM deployers and law enforcement agencies worldwide are continuing to work together to take a comprehensive approach to securing the self-service channel. For example, the company said its Intelligent Fraud Detection technology is designed to detect the widest array of potential fraudulent devices being added to or removed from the ATM.
“It’s all about understanding the role people and processes play in relation to an ATM that is part of a broader network. It’s important to remember that each year billions of transactions take place at ATMs around the world – without incident,” said Hames.