The News Room
Recent Skimming Affects Some ACU Member Cards
April 9 2012, Winnipeg
Card skimming in Winnipeg has impacted about 600 ACU debit cards as well as the cards of other financial institution customers in the city. Over the weekend ACU employees immediately began cancelling potentially impacted cards and contacting members to advise them their card may have been compromised. Members whose cards have been cancelled are being asked to select a new PIN.
"We're still gathering information," said ACU's CEO Al Morin, "but if any of our members have lost money due to fraudulent withdrawal of funds they will be reimbursed quickly. No members will lose money as a result of this skimming activity."
The skimming resulted from retail point-of-sale machines that have been compromised or adapted by the skimmers to gather information from the user's debit card. "This is most likely to happen on the machines that have not yet been converted to CHIP technology, and rely on customers to swipe their cards," Morin added. "CHIP technology adds an additional layer of security to help protect the consumer."
People in Winnipeg were targeted by a complex international criminal element. Local police are investigating and working closely with affected Winnipeg financial institutions.
ACU Members should check their accounts and if there is any unfamiliar or unusual activity, contact our Member Communication Centre immediately at 204.958.8588.
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