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London, United Kingdom and Sioux Falls, SD, USA, February 26, 2015. The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) has today launched on social media a new animated video about ten true stories from around the world when cash proved indispensable. "As human beings, we should all carry back-up cash, since cash always works everywhere, everytime!" commented Mike Lee, CEO. "These ten true stories show that cash is a universal form of money that never lets us down." ATMIA's ATM Cash Council, which commissioned production of the video, looks at continuing international demand for cash in order to correct common misconceptions and myths about cash. In "Cash Always Works", Networld Media Group animated the best submissions to the association's international competition among its members for real cash stories. "We'd like to thank Networld for a stunning video, as well as MoneyPass Network for their great entries they shared with ATMIA from a similar campaign they ran called 'Caught Without Cash'," Lee said. "Cash Always Works" is the fourth recent social media video produced by ATMIA to promote understanding of cash in the world, following the "Cash is Queen", "Cash Lives" and "Cash Connects" videos. "Cash distribution and dispensing is still the most popular and main service provided by ATMs around the world," Lee added. "While some associations claim to represent the ATM industry, but do absolutely nothing in the war against cash being waged by card schemes with very deep pockets, ATMIA gets stuck in and really makes a difference in fighting for cash." Please see our Cash Always Works video uploaded to YouTube and also on our Cash Council webpage. Cash Council: https://www.atmia.com/committees/atm-cash-council/ YouTube: http://youtu.be/_pMWblc2W-I The ATM Industry Association Announces Changes to the Board of Directors London, United Kingdom and Sioux Falls, SD, USA, February, 2015. The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) announced changes to the Board of Directors at its record-breaking 16th US ATM conference and expo last week in Las Vegas. "These changes will serve to refresh and strengthen our strategic direction as an association during challenging times, making us even more responsive to current industry issues," commented Mike Lee, CEO of ATMIA. The following steps were unanimously agreed upon by the association's Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors expressed thanks for the distinguished service of outgoing Board member Mike Clinard. Special thanks was also expressed to Tom Harper for his extraordinary contribution to the association in the founding role and as President for an unprecedented three terms. In addition, Sandra Hartfield was thanked for her outstanding Chairmanship of ATMIA through both good and difficult times. The ATM Industry Association Honors Outstanding Contributions to the ATM Industry The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) presented its latest industry awards at its record-breaking 16th US ATM conference and expo last week. "One of the joys of my job is honouring deserving individuals who give back to the ATM industry and make a difference through their outstanding efforts," commented Mike Lee, CEO. The following awards were presented at last week's show. An Outstanding Service Award, United States, to: Peter Kulik, Senior Vice President, Digital ATM, Citibank An Outstanding Service Award to: Dr. Aravinda Korala, CEO, KAL International Consultant of the Year, 2014 to: Francesco Burelli, Innovalue 15 Years' of Excellence in Service, 2015: Mike Lee, CEO, ATMIA 10 Years' of Excellence in Service, 2015: Amber Howell, Training, Web Content & Social Media Manager, ATMIA Commenting on the main theme of the Awards ceremony, namely innovation, Amber said "Innovation is the constant that is needed to keep the industry moving forward." The Changing Face of the ATM Market Interac® Debit Card Fraud Losses Fall to Record Low TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Interac Association reported today that Interac debit card fraud losses, as a result of skimming, are at a record low – decreasing 45 per cent to $16.2 million in 2014 from a previous low of $29.5 million in 2013. More significantly, fraud exploitation within Canada accounted for only 20 per cent, or $3.2 million, of 2014 losses to financial institutions. Cardholders are protected from losses through Interac's Zero Liability Policy. Also released today, results from a recent Interac survey shows that two out of five (41 percent) of Canadians are concerned about payment card fraud. Canadians are most concerned about fraud associated with skimming (49 per cent), retail data breaches (45 per cent), electronic pickpocketing (40 per cent) and online shopping (38 per cent). "We know that payment fraud stories, such as skimming, electronic pickpocketing and retail data breaches are worrisome to people," said Mark Sullivan, Head of Fraud Risk Programs, Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. "That's why we stay vigilant in the fight against fraud. We are debit experts and only want to provide payments solutions that allow people to access their hard earned money securely." Interac Flash is a case in point. As an enhancement of Interac Debit, it has all the same security features, such as chip technology, Interac zero liability, plus the added protection of small transaction limits. No single transaction can be more than $100 and the total spend can not exceed $200 before the cardholder must enter their PIN. "Criminals are looking for large amounts of cash and highly fenceable goods, not a few coffees," reinforced Sullivan. "Interac Flash is about speed and convenience for small value purchases but we know cardholders want security and that's why it offers strong protections, including protection from criminals attempting electronic pickpocketing to a lost card where someone tries to fraudulently spend $100." With measures like the migration to chip technology, which is near complete in Canada, criminals are migrating their payment card fraud activity to international exploitation in non-chip environments and card-not-present (i.e., over the Internet and telephone) exploitation on credit cards and other networks' debit products. "As our fraud numbers show, we have a steady decline of Interac debit card fraud losses since the introduction of chip and PIN technology in 2009," said Sullivan. "These investments in technology, along with our policies, sophisticated fraud prevention and detection efforts, and partnerships, have had a tremendously positive impact on the decline of Interac debit card fraud in Canada." Top Payment Card Fraud Concerns:
Notably, Canadians 35 and younger are less concerned about payments-related fraud. They cited skimming (34 per cent), online shopping (34 percent), electronic pickpocketing (32 per cent) and retail data breaches (32 per cent) as their top concerns. In support of Fraud Prevention Month, Interac Association has created a webpage dedicated to raising awareness about payment card security and fraud prevention. For more information, videos and an infographic, please visit: www.interac.ca/security. About the Survey Methodology About Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation Interac Association was founded in 1984 and is comprised of a diverse membership that includes banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses populaires, merchants, and technology and payment-related companies. Other related services offered by Acxsys Corporation, whose shareholders are the architects of the Interac network, include: Interac Online, for secure online payments made directly from a bank account; Interac e-Transfer®, for the transfer of money from one person's bank account to another person's bank account using an email address or mobile phone number for notification; and international services, which provide Canadian cardholders with point-of-sale access at nearly 2 million U.S. retailers, and PULSE, Discover, Diners Club International and UnionPay cardholders access to ABMs in Canada. Interac, the Interac logo, Interac Flash, Interac Debit, Interac Online and Interac e-Transfer are trade-marks of Interac Inc. Used under license. *All Interac cardholders are protected from losses resulting from circumstances beyond their control under the Interac Zero Liability Policy. See your financial institution for details. SOURCE Interac Association Image with caption: "Interac debit card fraud losses on a steady decline since 2009, for a record low in 2014. (CNW Group/Interac Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150225_C6067_ Thieves Steal Waterloo Theatre ATM in Blockbuster Caper Watch the Footage of the Heist It was a box office blockbuster, but not the kind theatre owners hope for. Thieves crashed a vehicle into the doors of the Galaxy Cinemas in Waterloo's Conestoga Mall early Friday morning, gained access to the theatre lobby and made off with an ATM, according to Waterloo Regional Police. "We received a call just before 7 a.m. today," said Waterloo Regional Police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel. "We received a report that a vehicle had entered through some glass doors, and there were a number of suspects involved who again are reported to have removed an ATM machine and then fled the area." Heinzel could not specify how many suspects were involved, but said there appeared to be "multiple" suspects involved and police believe they were driving a white van. NDP Urges Conservatives to Rein in ATM Fees The NDP is stepping up its battle against bank machine fees, urging the government to make good on its pledge to do something about the charges that vex some Canadian consumers. A motion calling for the cap will be debated in the House of Commons on Monday. It urges the Conservative government to take action on ATM fees in its upcoming federal budget. "No one should have to pay $2 or $3 to withdraw their own money from a bank machine — especially when it costs the banks around 36 cents to complete the transaction," Glenn Thibeault, the NDP's consumer affairs critic, said in a statement. NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair says the ATM fees are "sky-high." "We in Canada right now are noticing that in a lot of our inner-city areas, there are no more banks — not even credit unions are present," he said in Vancouver. "So people fall prey if they go to a local convenience store — they're paying a small fortune to have access to their own money." Banks provide free use of ATMs for their customers, while non-customers are often charged fees that can be as high as $3. The NDP proposal would cap ATM withdrawal fees at 50 cents per transaction across the board. During question period in the House of Commons last week, Mulcair asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper whether the budget, to be tabled Feb. 11, will tackle the issue of ATM fees. "Will the prime minister make good on his promise in last fall's throne speech to rein in basic banking fees and fees at ATMs and on credit cards?" Mulcair asked. "Will the prime minister keep that promise to Canadians: yes or no?" Harper responded by saying that his government has raised concerns about "certain banking fees and practices on consumers and small business." But he didn't say whether the budget would contain any initiatives cracking down on those fees. October's throne speech also included a pledge by the government to outlaw charges levied by banks on customers who receive paper bills. There's been no legislation, however, on the issue. But the Canadian Bankers Association said Sunday that ATM charges, called convenience fees by banks, are "entirely in the customer's control and are usually avoided." The association said its data shows that 75 per cent of ATM transactions are done at a customer's own bank, so no convenience fee is charged. "The convenience fee is clearly disclosed before the transaction is completed and the non-customer has the choice of either accepting the fee or cancelling the transaction and using one of their own banks' machines," the statement added. "This is no different than buying milk at a convenience store rather than a grocery store. Customers know that they will pay more at a convenience store but make the choice of paying for that convenience." The NDP has long called for a cap of ATM fees. In 2007, former leader Jack Layton announced a national campaign to mobilize consumers in a fight against the country's big banks. Now mired in third place in the polls behind the Liberals and the Tories ahead of next year's election, Mulcair embarked upon a tour of Ontario and Western Canada last week to talk to Canadians about "affordability." He focused on bank fees and gas prices. "Life is increasingly expensive," Mulcair said. "We're seeing a lot of working families who simply aren't getting by. And that could be anything from a $3 or $4 ATM fee to collusion at the gas pumps. So there are a lot of things that are costing families more and more." ATM Robbery Suspect Arrested After Southside Stick-ups A suspect who targeted women using ATM bank machines over the last two months in south Edmonton is facing numerous robbery charges. Police say the 31-year-old man would jump into the passenger side of customer's vehicle wearing a balaclava or approach them in the bank lobby as they were about to use the ATM machines. The man would claim he was armed and demand cash before running to a nearby vehicle. The suspect was arrested yesterday following a robbery at an ATM and 108 Street and 23 Avenue. Officers spotted a vehicle matching a description near Rabbit Hill Road and 23 Avenue. The man is charged in six robberies:
The man is charged with robbery, forcible confinement, disguised with intent and possession of a dangerous weapon. |
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