(Washington, D.C.) On this date, The United States Secret Service issued warnings to financial institutions about cyberattacks on ATMs known as "jackpotting."
ATM jackpotting is a sophisticated crime in which thieves install malicious software and/or hardware at ATMs that force the machines to dispense huge volumes of cash on demand. To execute a jackpotting attack, perpetrators must gain physical access to the cash machine and install malware, or specialized electronics, or a combination of both to control the operations of the ATM.
Criminals have been able to find vulnerabilities in financial institutions that operate ATMs, primarily ATMs that are stand-alone. The targeted stand-alone ATMs are routinely located in pharmacies, big box retailers, and drive thru ATMs. Criminals range from individual suspects to large organized groups, from local criminals to international organized crime syndicates.
The Secret Service recently obtained credible information about planned jackpotting attacks in the U.S. through partners of our Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF). Subsequently, we alerted other law enforcement partners and financial institutions who could potentially be impacted by this crime.
The Secret Service currently has 40 ECTFs throughout the U.S. ECTFs utilize the combined resources of the private sector and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat threats to the U.S. financial payment systems and critical infrastructure. The purpose of the ECTFs is to aggressively pursue and apprehend cyber criminals.
The Secret Service continues to foster partnerships through our ECTFs to investigate and arrest individuals and organized criminals groups engaged in financial crimes. In addition we utilize technology to investigate cybercrime more efficiently, to educate local law enforcement, and to warn financial institutions of potential and known threats to our financial infrastructure.
Source: U.S. Secret Service