Anti-skimming Device

Abstract

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) allow banking customers to conveniently make certain financial transactions. Typically, customers access ATMs through the use of an electronically encoded ATM-card with a magnetic strip or microchip that encodes customer account information. As a security measure, accessing a bank account at an ATM typically requires a personal identification number (PIN) that must be entered into the ATM key pad in order to initiate a transaction. Electronic devices, known as skimming devices, are capable of collecting bank account and PIN information unbeknownst to ATM customers. Skimming devices are applied onto, near or over an ATM card readers, and are often indistinguishable from the ATM card reader. When an ATM user attempts to access their bank account, the skimming devices record their bank account and PIN information. Armed with the bank account and PIN information, thieves are able to illegally access customer accounts and defraud banks. The anti-skimming device of the present invention offers an elegant approach to prevent illegal access to sensitive customer account information. Applying the anti-skimming device of the instant invention functions to ATMs helps to prevent illegal collection of account and PIN information from unsuspecting bank customers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.