A counterfeit card can be a fake card or a valid one that’s been altered or re-coded. Most cases of counterfeit card fraud involve skimming, where the data on your card’s magnetic strip is electronically copied using a skimming device on to another card without your knowledge. This copy of your card, a counterfeit card, is used to defraud you.

Chip and PIN cards

While cards featuring a microchip, on which the card information is stored, is more difficult to counterfeit, many such cards still feature a magnetic strip that can be skimmed. In some countries, some of the older ATMs and POS terminals are not equipped to read microchip cards, therefore necessitating for the magnetic strip to be present for the card to be processed. Until such time that all card processing devices such as POS terminals and ATMs are capable of reading the chip cards, the magnetic strip will still feature on cards, to permit cardholders to use their card at any ATM or POS.

In recent times, fraudsters have developed devices that can read the information on the microchip, using this again to clone a new card to defraud the cardholder.

Card skimming

Skimming commonly occurs at retail outlets, particularly bars, restaurants and petrol stations, where your card is taken away by the staff for processing, and at cash machines that have been illegally fitted with a skimming device. The stolen data is then used to create counterfeit cards.

Seychelles Commercial Bank ATMs has ‘jitter’ technology, which causes your card to shake slightly as it enters the ATM’s card reader slot, disrupting the reading of the card’s magnetic strip, should any skimming device be attached to it. Despite this additional security feature on our ATMs, we recommend that you always check the ATM that you are about to use, especially when abroad, where this type of method is very common, and take note of anything that looks out of the ordinary, that may not have been there previously or looks like it does not form part of the ATM. If you feel there is something that isn’t right, it is best you move to another ATM.  If after using an ATM you feel that it may have been compromised, we recommend that you take the cautious approach and call us on (+248 42940XX) to block your card.

You may also encounter helpful strangers at ATMs who may want to assist you and may want to handle your card. With a quick gesture of hand, they can swipe your card through a skimming device before handing it back to you then watch you as you type your PIN on the ATM. A similar version of the scam takes place where you are approached by a person professing to be a bank staff, with a device, which they claim to be using to ‘reactivate’ your card. We recommend that you never hand over your card to anyone outside the bank premises claiming to be a bank staff.

Where you are making a payment at a merchant establishment and your card has to be taken away for processing, you risk having your card skimmed by dishonest staff. Always insist that they bring the POS terminal to you if they have a portable one or go with the staff to the POS. Ensure that you always see what device your card has been swiped through and that device should only be a genuine POS terminal.

Capturing your PIN

While a counterfeit card may be used without its PIN to commit fraudulent acts, fraudsters would usually try to steal your PIN as well to be able to withdraw cash from your account at ATMs. ATMs may be fitted with skimming devices to scan your card’s magnetic strip as it enters the card reader slot and tiny cameras to capture your PIN as you type it on the number pad. We recommend that you always shield your hand as you enter your PIN, preventing it from being captured by any hidden cameras.

There may be cases where the ATM has been fitted with a device that will cause your card to be retained, not in the ATM itself, but in some other device installed by a fraudster. At this point, a helpful stranger may approach you to help you ‘get your card back’. He may ask you to enter your PIN on the ATM to memorise the number as you do this. In such cases it is best that you decline the stranger’s help and call us immediately on (+248 42940xx) to block your card.

Protecting yourself from card skimming

• Memorise your PIN, never write it down or share it, and key it in such a way that no one else can see it by shielding your hand as you type it.
• While at an ATM, always keep an eye on the ATM card slot to ensure that your card is not taken out, skimmed and replaced without your knowledge.
• Be cautious of people loitering around ATM’s and avoid being distracted whilst transacting.
• Never let your card out of your sight when paying for purchases at POS and ensure that it is returned to you after every transaction.
• Do not divulge your PIN to a third party, not even a bank staff.