PRO-7: ATM Clients Should Be Watchful Against Criminals

There is no concrete information regarding the reported incident of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cloning here in Cebu City and province, PSSupt. Conrado S. Capa, Deputy Regional Director for Operations of Police Regional Office (PRO)7 said.

Capa’s statement was in response to Cebu media inquiry whether the same is also happening here, as in Metro Manila where ATM cloning is reportedly rampant.

“But if this would happen here, all ATM bank owners have already instructed to secure their ATM machines with detectors or other gadgets that would deter criminals from abusing their ATM clients”, Capa added.

However, there are claims that some ATM machines are just openly displayed in areas with no security guards especially during holidays and wee hours of the night.

This situation is causing fear to all ATM clients who ought to withdraw their ATM deposits especially in areas which are prone to criminals.

However, Capa explained that bank owners have already installed some standard of security on their ATM machines, which may somehow discouraged bad people from victimizing ATM clients here.

Capa stressed that every ATM machine is bearing some warnings to avoid its clients from being victimized by the said ATM cloners.

“For example the warning which states ‘don’t withdraw money if there suspected person or persons around you’ which apparently putting awareness to ATM clients for their safety”, Capa said.

Capa also pointed out that ATM cloning is just in Metro Manila and is far from happening in Cebu City because the ATM clients are aware of criminal activity here.

Capa also reminded everybody who wants to withdraw some money from ATM, not to do it when they are alone but at least they may have in tandem and better to make it at ATM which are located in areas surrounded by many people.

Capa added that criminals could be hesitant to perform hold ups or to clone anybody’s card if there are people around.

He also said that aside from being undermanned, police authorities considered ATM as a private business of bankers who can afford to hire private security guards, so the role of the police is just to supervise the areas where ATMs are located.