Tanzanian Association Oslo

We have tightened ATM

security - BoT governor

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) in collaboration with local and international security agencies has stepped up measures to prevent cash robberies through commercial banks’ automated teller machines (ATM) in the country.

The move follows a Monday police report that two foreigners were nabbed over allegations of stealing 70m/- from different customer’s account through ATM machines in Dar es Salaam.

In an interview with ‘The Guardian’ yesterday, the BoT Governor Prof Benno Ndulu said that his office would from now on take precautionary measures to prevent such frauds.

“We are collaborating with international security agencies to try to safeguard our bank systems. To us this is a new technology”, said the Governor.

Finance and Economic Affairs deputy minister Omar Mzee advised the banks to strengthen security of the cards and ATM machines.

He said that dishonest people can easily temper with cheap cards with very few security features.

Mzee also urged the banks to modernise their ATM machines so that they can identify fake cards before transactions are done.

He however said sometimes the source of the problem can most likely be linked to the card manufacturers. He said most of the cards are made outside the country, with most being from Kenya.

“Security should be tightened from the initial stage whereby manufacturers should be careful to avoid such frauds. I suggest that all the ATM machines be secured throughout the day,” said Mzee.

An official with the CRDB bank who preferred anonymity said that his bank has already taken some precautionary measures by improving security of its ATM cards and at the machines.

He said their ATM cards cannot be easily tampered with as they are made outside the country with an international standard known as Euro Master Card and Visa (EMCV).

He said that CRDB bank has fixed cameras at each of the ATM machines. The cameras according to him are connected to a screen and are monitored at all times.

Reached for comments the Barclays bank Corporate Affairs Manager Majumbe Chamungwana said: “We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, however we are fully cooperating with the authorities while safeguarding at all times the interest of our customers.”

Other officials from Stanbic bank, National Bank of Commerce (NBC), National Microfinance Bank (NMB) said they were not ready to comment on the issue. They said that special appointments should be made to meet with the bank’s top officials.

Meanwhile, police in Dar es Salaam yesterday successfully foiled an attempt by a group of gangsters to steal money from an ATM near Mavuno House at the city center.

The Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Suleiman Kova confirmed the incident. He said that police were tipped by good Samaritans.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (TANZANIA)