Do you have these banks' credit cards? Beware, majority of bank ATMs not safe; what you can do

Transactions through bank ATMs has always been a cause of concern for both banks and RBI considering the amount of cyber threats involved. Yes, that meas credit card holders money is not safe in banks. Now, while we were struggling with cash crunch and bank ATMs running dry, there were more problems to add to your troubles. Guess what! If you have a PSU bank account then your transactions through its ATMs is not safe. A recent response to a query in the Parliament, brought in limelight that nearly 74% of ATM machines of the PSU banks are running on an outdated software. Not only this, these machines are also vulnerable to fraud because of their lower security. 

Outdated version risk in ATMs has been first pointed by the Reserve Bank of India. The amount of risk is maximum which is why, RBI has even laid out a guidelines for banks to change the current version of software in ATMs. 

RBI has asked banks to uninstall Microsoft Windows XP systems installed in bank ATM. Banks have been given strict guidelines to upgrade all ATM by June 2019. Much concern and worries have been expressed over ATM running on Windows XP system since last year itself. In fact, RBI had red flagged the matter way back in April 2017. 

In a latest notification, RBI said, “As you may appreciate, the vulnerability arising from the banks ATM operating on unsupported version of operating system and non-implementation of other security measures, could potentially affect the interests of the banks’ customers adversely, apart from such occurrences, if any, impinging on the image of the bank.”

The central bank has asked Board-approved compliance/action plan in respect of aforesaid control measures by latest July 31, 2018. 

While, when we will get an updated version in ATM, we will have to wait and watch. For now as a citizen you can take measures in your hand for the safety of your financials and transactions through ATM. Here’s what you should do. 

• Customer should conduct any ATM transaction in complete privacy.
• Only one card holder should enter and access ATM kiosk at a time.
• He/she should never lend his/her card to anyone.
• Do not write PIN on the card.
• Never share PIN with anyone or seek help from anybody by handing over the card and revealing the PIN.
• Never let anyone see the PIN while it is being entered at the ATM
• Never use a PIN that could be easily guessed. e.g. his/her birthday, birthday of spouse or telephone number.
• Never leave card in the ATM.
• Register mobile number with the card issuing bank for getting alerts for ATM  transactions. Any unauthorized card transaction in the account, if observed, should be immediately reported to the card issuing bank.
• Beware of any extra devices attached to the ATMs. These may be put to capture customer’s data fraudulently. If any such device is found, inform the security guard / bank/ white label ATM entity maintaining it immediately.
• Keep an eye on suspicious movements of people around ATMs. 
• Customer should beware of strangers trying to engaging him/her in conversation or offering assistance / help in operating the ATM.
• Remember that bank officials will never ask for card details or PIN over telephone / email. So, do not respond to any vishing / phishing mails from people indicating that they represent your bank.