Dhanbad police alert banks over suspicious ATM tampering device

Police in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, have issued an alert to banks following the discovery of a suspicious plate attached to a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM cash dispenser slot in Matkuria. The device is suspected to be part of a scheme used by cybercriminals to defraud customers.

Reports indicate that multiple customers have fallen victim to this method; in one instance, a customer’s account was debited 1,000 rupees without cash being dispensed, while another reported a loss of 3,000 rupees at the same machine. The incidents have raised concerns regarding inadequate security measures, including a lack of security guards and malfunctioning CCTV cameras at various ATM locations.

Dhanbad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Kumar has formally written to all banks in the district, instructing them to strengthen security protocols. The directive includes ensuring regular maintenance of CCTV cameras, conducting frequent inspections of ATM machines, and providing adequate security personnel to prevent tampering and theft.