Provided herein is a method, apparatus, and system for detecting conditions indicative of an attempt to attach a skimming device to a payment device. Methods may include monitoring at least one wire among a plurality of wires between a card reader device and a motherboard; determining voltage consumption; determining current consumption; identifying a change in voltage consumption or current consumption satisfying a predetermined value; and providing for transmission of an alert of a condition indicating possible attachment of a card skimming device. Methods may include generating a status message periodically and transmitting the status message to a remote entity. The change in voltage consumption or current consumption satisfying the predetermined value may include a voltage instability exceeding a predetermined range about an anticipated voltage. The change in voltage consumption or current consumption satisfying the predetermined value may include a decrease in current satisfying the predetermined value.

A system and method is described for detecting a foreign object such as a skimmer placed adjacent to a bezel for a magnetic card reader device, as used in automatic teller machines and gas pumps. At least two sensors are mounted adjacent to the bezel. Each sensor provides a signal that varies when a skimmer is mounted adjacent to the bezel. A controller receive measurement signals from the sensors, and generates an alarm signal when the measurement signals differ from associated predetermined baseline signals by at least associated predetermined thresholds. The alarm signal indicates that a foreign object has been detected adjacent he bezel. The sensors may be capacitive, time of flight, spectral, radar, and/or inductive. The capacitive sensors may include three or more plates, forming multiple capacitive pairs, each capacitive pair effectively forming a separate sensor.

A kit and method for improving the security of a card reader having a plurality of wafers for insertion individually into the card reader via a card slot in the card reader, where each wafer is shaped and sized so that the wafer can be inserted through the card slot in an insertion direction and positioned in a cavity in the card reader. The plurality of wafers are configured to couple together when inside the cavity to form a stack of wafers.

An anti-skimming card reader device, and systems and methods for using the same, are provided. The card reading device can include a plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The device can also include a magnetic stripe reader disposed at the second surface. The magnetic stripe reader can include at least one sensor configured to acquire data from a magnetic stripe of a card disposed at the first surface and at least one proximity sensor configured to detect that the card is disposed at the first surface and to cause the at least one sensor to acquire the data from the magnetic stripe.

A verification computing system for verifying operation of a payment terminal and a payment processing network linking the payment terminal to a payment processor is provided. The verification computing system includes at least one verification computing module including at least one processor. The verification computing module is programmed to receive a test request message corresponding to a test payment card transaction from the payment terminal, identify a void flag included in the test request message, and bypass a settlement process for the test payment card transaction based on the identified void flag. The verification computing module is further configured to determine an operating status of the payment terminal and the payment processing network, generate a test response message based upon the determination, and transmit the test response message to the payment terminal for notifying a user.

A card reader structured to perform processing on a card includes a main body part, an insertion port which is opened in the main body part and into which the card is inserted, a conveyance passage which is provided in an inside of the main body part and in which the card having been inserted is conveyed, a drive mechanism structured to convey the card in the conveyance passage, a plurality of sensors which detect insertion of the card into the insertion port and a state of conveyance of the card in the conveyance passage, and a control part which monitors state transitions of detected results of the plurality of the sensors for the card and determines that a foreign matter has been inserted into the card reader when the control part detects that a state transition is generated in a mode which is different from a predetermined state transition.

An inspection apparatus for optical inspection of a card insertion slot of a card reader. The apparatus includes a housing holding a magnifier lens assembly, the magnifier lens assembly being mounted through the housing, from a back face to a front face of the housing; at least two guiding elements, protruding outwards the front face of the housing; and at least two light sources located on a front side of the inspection apparatus. The inspection apparatus is further configured so that the at least two guiding elements, the at least two light sources, and an optical axis of the magnifier lens assembly are substantially contained in a same plane.

A fraud detection system for a self-service terminal which has a card reader includes an optical proximity sensor and an electrode for a capacitive proximity sensor mounted adjacent to a slot in the card reader. A controller is coupled to the optical proximity sensor and the capacitive proximity sensor. The controller compares a proximity signal from the optical proximity sensor with a first predetermined proximity threshold that is adjusted based on a level of ambient infrared light at that sensor, and sets an alarm signal when an object is closer than the adjusted first predetermined proximity threshold. The controller also compares a proximity signal from the capacitive proximity sensor with a second predetermined proximity threshold that is adjusted based on a level of luminosity light at the optical proximity sensor, and sets an alarm signal when an object is closer than the adjusted second predetermined proximity threshold.

An automated teller machine (ATM) receives a first set of signals from components of the ATM. The first set of signals includes intercommunication electrical signals between the components of the ATM and electromagnetic radiation signals propagated from the components of the ATM. The ATM extracts baseline features from the first set of signals. The baseline features represent a unique electrical signature of the ATM. The ATM extracts test features from a second set of signals received from the component of the ATM. The ATM determines whether there is a deviation between the test features and baseline features. If the ATM detects the deviation, the ATM determines that the ATM is associated with a particular anomaly that makes the ATM vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Examples described herein relate to apparatuses and methods of providing automated teller machine (ATM) status notifications using augmented reality. A method includes capturing, by a user device, an image of the ATM, determining a probability that the ATM has been compromised, augmenting the image of the ATM in a manner which reflects the probability that the image has been compromised, and displaying the augmented image on a user interface of the user device.