‘Jackpotting’: new hack attack makes ATMs spit out cash like slot machines
Thieves have used skimming devices on ATMs to steal debit card information, but ‘jackpotting’ augurs more sophisticated technological challenges that American financial firms will face in coming years
Two of the world’s largest ATM makers have warned that cyber criminals were targeting US cash machines with tools that force them to spit out money in hacking schemes known as “jackpotting”.
Diebold Nixdorf Inc and NCR Corp did not identify any victims nor say how much money had been lost.
Jackpotting has been rising worldwide in recent years, though it is unclear how much cash has been stolen because victims and police often do not disclose details.
The attacks were reported earlier on Saturday by the security news website Krebs on Security, which said they had begun last year in Mexico.
The companies confirmed they had sent out the alerts to clients.
NCR said in a Friday alert that the cases were the first confirmed “jackpotting” losses in the United States.
It said its equipment had not been targeted in the recent attacks, but that it was still a concern for the entire ATM industry.