Bangkok--21 Nov--TBA
The Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) suggests simple ways ATM cardholders can protect themselves from fraud. Worried ATM cardholders can change their 4 digit PIN (Personal Identity Number) at ATMs of the card-issuing bank without any charge.
In response to recent skimming attacks in which fraudsters copied data from ATM cards and stole money from bank accounts, the secretary-general of the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA), Dr. Tawatchai Yongkittikul, said 15 commercial banks, which are members of the TBA, have affirmed that the banks will fully reimburse affected customers. The banks are working together to solve the problem and are supporting an investigation to quickly identify the fraudsters. The TBA suggests ATM cardholders who are worried about ATM skimming should change their 4-digit PIN. This can be done at the ATMs of the card-issuing bank without any charge.
The PIN is a security key to protect financial information. If a fraudster has copied data from an ATM card but the cardholder has changed the PIN, the thief will not be able to steal money from the account. The TBA therefore recommends that ATM cardholders should change their PIN every three months and keep it safe without revealing it to anyone, including friends or family members. Cardholders should also check their account balance regularly. If you notice any suspicious activity while making an ATM transaction, the banks recommend you cancel the transaction and contact the card-issuing bank immediately to cancel the card.
The TBA has installed anti-skimming devices at 50,000 ATMs nationwide which have provided protection against fraud for many years. The TBA is studying the recent problems to establish protective measures against future fraud.