Number of ATMs in India has trebled in last three years and crossed one lac.Similarly banks issued numerous credit cards to achieve their ambitious targets. Huge amount of money remains unrecoverable from credit card holders in many banks and numerous complains have been lodged with banks regarding fraud committed by tech experts.
Managements of Banks are perhaps not worried for rise in Fraud cases happening due to misuses of Debit and Credit Cards. Under pressure from Government of India and especially from learned finance Minister Mr. P Chidambram,now ATMs are like to penetrate in small towns and villages where illiterates will be forced to use ATM card to withdraw money as per guidelines issued for Financial Inclusion.
In this context it is necessary to read carefully the views of Pune Cyber Cell explained in following news item.
Cyber crime cell special advisory for banks in Pune
Published: Sunday, Jan 13, 2013, 19:59 IST
By Sandip Dighe | Place: Pune | Agency: DNA
By Sandip Dighe | Place: Pune | Agency: DNA
Flagging concern on rise in banking frauds reported from the city, the Pune police have prepared an advisory for banks asking them to be cautious while issuing international debit and credit cards.
According to the state Central Investigation Department’s (CID) annual report ‘Crimes in Maharashtra 2011’, Pune city had the highest number of cyber crime cases registered in the state that year.
Apart from sending the advisory to the banks in the city, the Pune cyber crime cell will also organise a special awareness programme for users and bankers.
The advisory states, “The issuance of international debit card is unnecessary in many cases. Most of the users do not want these cards, yet many banks are issuing them.” Speaking to DNA, an officer attached with Pune cyber crime cell said, “The banks are issuing international debit cards to people unnecessarily. We have observed that only a few customers need such cards. Hence, it makes account holders vulnerable in case the card is misplaced or stolen as their account can be operated from anywhere across the world. We have noticed misuse of international debit and credit cards by people involved in Nigerian frauds who open account in banks in India and operate them from abroad using these cards.”
Deputy commissioner of police (cyber) Sanjay Shinde said that debit cards were used by fraudsters from abroad to dupe people. “We have received three such complaints. That prompted us to prepare the advisory.”
The annual report of CID has observed that people in the age group of 18 to 30 years were found to be more active in cyber crimes in the city as well as rural outskirts. The police have arrested 32 people in this age group in 2011. According to the report, the city has been witnessing constant and steady rise in the number of cyber crimes since 2009. From 161 in 2009, the number rose to 246 and touched 306 in 2011. When it comes to the number of cyber crimes, Pune is followed by Thane (77), Mumbai (51) Aurangabad (19), Thane (rural) (11) and Nagpur (11). Shinde said, “As more people use the Internet and cellphones for banking purposes, the number of people falling prey to cyber crimes is also increasing. People carrying out bank transactions using the Internet are falling prey to economic offenders on the prowl in the virtual world. Moreover, it has been our observation that most of the victims are in the age group of 18 to 30 years in the city.”
He said that people do not have adequate knowledge of safety measures to be taken while carrying out online transactions. “We have been trying to spread awareness by giving safety tips in dos and don’ts format. However, many Internet users do not pay enough attention to our advice, he said, adding that a major chunk of cyber crimes pertains to credit/debit card frauds.
“People should insist on their credit/debit cards to be swiped in their presence at petrol pumps, restaurants, shopping malls, and other such places. Miscreants can procure credit card numbers using basic methods such as photocopying receipts or using a small electronic device (skimmer) to swipe and store credit card numbers,” he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report_cyber-crime-cell-special-advisory-for-banks-in-pune_1788563
Banking Ombudsman Report of 2011-12
Banking Ombudsman Report of 2011-12 shows customers getting the short shrift
Per branch complaints are high, ATM/Debit card complaints are rising and only 1% of the complaints to the ombudsman disposed off with an award
Click following link to read details of ATM related complaints
Hardly one out of 100 complaints lodged with Ombudsman is disposed with Award by Ombuddman.
This is because bankers whose faults are pointed out by complainers is attended by Ombudsman who himself is a retired banker,
Cases of fraud and irregularities found in banks is handed over to Vigilance Department where officers are from bank itself and who are of similar corrupt character.
In brief thieves are made police to investigate the case of theft reported to Ombudman or CVO or CVC or CBI or Police departments.This is the key reason why politicians accused of large scale corruption are finally acquitted by crime investigating wings of GOI.
This is India
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ReplyDeleteNice write up, banks, in a bid to increase fee based incomes have been issuing debit and credit cards, to all and sundry, even to customers who do not use and realize the implications of these cards. Result, increasing card hacking, blockades etc. putting strain on banks' fundamentals. These should stop fothwith.
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