Interesting ATM Fraud Method

[CGDustDevil]

Man,

You probably need to check this out! There is apparently an infared camera attachment or iPhones now. Those can be easily used to capture heat from keypads that you use to enter your PIN at the checkout by the next person in line if they have this device. The heat signature also has degrees of intensity, so it's no trick to figure out the order of the digits.

Amazing... And if you look around at your local checkout, almost EVERYONE has a stupid iPhone in their hand. (Incredible mass behavioral phenomenon!) So you won't be able to always tell who in line may have the device, and will be able to snag your PIN. Of course, they also have to snag your card. ;)

But this method also works for pushbutton locks on autos, homes, etc. So it's nothing to ignore out of hand.

Obviously there are ways to get around this... One can use a mechanical device such as a pen or pencil to press the buttons. The other thing you can do is (once the transaction is done) to simply touch ALL the keys at once for a couple seconds. That will effectively 'erase' the PIN signature by making ALL the keys 'hot'. You can also use your debit card as 'credit' in some cases, which bypasses the PIN process.

Just thought you might wanna know!

http://awm.com/heres-the-scam-thats-happening-at-grocery-stores-all-across-america-can-you-spot-it-find-out/?bst=5_6_1850_ao

 

[Bull Barrel]

That one has been around a while.

 

[Kevin]

It does sound a little far fetched. The part about push button locks on autos and homes?

 

[trebor44]

This is not far fetched. IR signatures have been in use for many many years. Until the phones and some digital cameras came along it was not well known. But in todays wonderful world of technocrap it has become quite ubiquitous. But then there are many ways to capture 'security' information thanks to the digital madness. Think about it, photo ids displayed on that handy necklace or belt clip can be photographed and counterfeited, your location can be known to anyone with the right app etc. Technology is a tool and like any tool it can be misused by anyone who chooses to.

 

[blume357]

but how long does the 'heat' stay on a button that you put your finger on for less than half a second?.... and then with 4+ keys punched what are the number of combinations... but then I guess with the degree of heat signature you could figure out the sequence.... sounds good for a TV program to me.

I've been planning to get an infrared camera for my new I-phone... so, maybe I'll give it a try.

 

[CGDustDevil]

but how long does the 'heat' stay on a button that you put your finger on for less than half a second?.... and then with 4+ keys punched what are the number of combinations... but then I guess with the degree of heat signature you could figure out the sequence.... sounds good for a TV program to me.

I've been planning to get an infrared camera for my new I-phone... so, maybe I'll give it a try.

If you do get one, please do let me know if this works... In the meantime I'll use the little stylus for number punching! ;)

 

[Dave P.]

I usually just pee on the keypad........
Dave

 

[Pat-inCO]

I just use the bank. :roll:

 

[blume357]

The other part is ... don't they need your card or the information off of it to make this work?

Maybe I'm just lazy, but I've figured out a simpler way to get money..... work.

 

[exavid]

Sounds a bit like BS. My iPhone 6s does not respond to IR even when an active IR source is aimed at the camera. If it can't see that it's highly unlikely residual heat from a momentary key contact would register. It might be that someone has an accessory that could allow it but I'd have to see it to believe it.

One of my old flip phones use to be able to 'see' IR. I'd aim my TV remote at the camera and could see the pulses when the remote was activated. It certainly wasn't sensitive enough to see residual heat signatures from computer keys. My current iPhone won't even do that.

 

[blume357]

There are add on cameras for things like the I-phone... this is not using the camera in the phone but pretty high end IR cameras.... they are used to detect heat leaks in housing and things like excessive moisture in places like the foundation and chimneys just for a start.