Overview

• Sparkasse and Polizei Mecklenburg-Vorpommern this week issued official alerts after recording a spike in Cash Trapping schemes at ATMs.
• In these frauds, criminals attach an adhesive-lined flap over the cash chute so dispensed notes stick inside and customers assume a technical failure.
• Unaware victims often leave before retrieving banknotes, allowing perpetrators to return later and collect the trapped money.
• Banks are enhancing video surveillance, reinforcing mechanical safeguards and at least one major bank has temporarily removed all its ATMs to reassess security.
• The Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention der Länder und des Bundes advises covering PIN entry, inspecting machines for unusual attachments and staying at the ATM until cash is dispensed or staff arrives.