In 2017-18, the total amount siphoned-off by crooks touched Rs 65.26 crore in 911 cases. The data show that there was a 50% rise in the amount of money stolen in 2016-17 and another 150% increase in 2017-18
New Delhi: There has been a 400% increase in the amount of money lost by the public as a result of ATM card fraud in the past three years, according to data compiled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
In 2015-16, a total 563 cases were registered, with fraudsters snatching Rs 16.57 crore, the RBI said. In 2016-17, 724 cases were reported, which led to the loss of Rs 24.47 crore. In 2017-18, the total amount siphoned-off by crooks touched Rs 65.26 crore in 911 cases. The data show that there was a 50% rise in the amount of money stolen in 2016-17 and another 150% increase in 2017-18. This data don’t include cases where the amount is less than Rs 1 lakh.
The most targeted bank has been ICICI Bank, 348 of whose customers lost Rs 6.65 crore in 2017-18. This apart, 144 customers of the State Bank of India were also targeted by miscreants, who took away Rs 10.22 crore.
Interestingly, according to the RBI data, City Union Bank was targeted only once in the last financial year, but the crooks siphoned off more than Rs 31 crore. This is the highest amount stolen, and make up 40% of the total amount siphoned-off in 2017-18.
Also from April to June this year, a total of 270 cases have been reported by the RBI in which customers were duped into sharing ATM card details, which in turn led to money being stolen from their accounts.
According to the Delhi Police's cyber cell, the most common pattern of ATM fraud is vishing. “It is one such attempt where fraudsters try to seek your personal information like customer ID, net banking password, ATM PIN, OTP, card expiry date, CVV etc through a phone call,” the Delhi Police said.
The best way to protect your hard-earned money is to never share any personal information like customer ID, ATM PIN, OTP and so on over the phone, SMS or email and if in doubt, dial the phone banking number of your bank.
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