Atm skimmer detection based upon incidental rf emissions

A system for detecting an unauthorized device, comprising:

• a receiver associated with a card reader, comprising:
• a first storage device storing instructions;
• and
• a first processor configured to execute the first storage device instructions to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal detected and transmitted by an antenna,
• converting the detected RF signals into digital signal data, and
• sending the signal data and identification information associated with the card reader over a network;
• and
• a server comprising:
• a second storage device storing instructions;
• and
• a second processor configured to execute the second storage device instructions to perform operations comprising:
• receiving, from the receiver, the identification information and the RF data corresponding to the detected RF signal;
• determining a baseline RF signal based on the received identification information;
• determining an unidentified RF signal of the detected RF signal that differs from the baseline RF signal,
• determining whether the unidentified RF signal is present for a predetermined period of time, and
• determining whether the unauthorized device is present at the card reader based on a determination that the unidentified RF signal is present for the predetermined period of time.

A method for detecting an unauthorized device present at a card reader, comprising:

• receiving, from a receiver, identification information and a RF data corresponding to a detected RF signal;
• determining a baseline RF signal based on the received identification information;
• determining an unidentified RF signal of the detected RF signal that differs from the baseline RF signal,
• determining whether the unidentified RF signal is present for a predetermined period of time, and
• determining whether the unauthorized device is present at the card reader based on a determination that the unidentified RF signal is present for the predetermined period of time.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for detecting an unauthorized device at a card reader,

• wherein, the instructions, when executed, cause a first processor to perform a first set of operations comprising:
• receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal detected and transmitted by an antenna,
• converting the detected RF signals into digital signal data, and
• sending the signal data and identification information associated with the card reader over a network;
• and
• wherein, the instructions, when executed, cause a second processor to perform a second set of operations comprising:
• receiving over a network the identification information and the RF data corresponding to the detected RF signal;
• determining a baseline RF signal based on the received identification information;
• determining an unidentified RF signal of the detected RF signal that differ from the baseline RF signal,
• determining whether the unidentified RF signal is present for a predetermined period of time, and
• determining whether the unauthorized device is present at the card reader based on a determination that the unidentified RF signal is present for the predetermined period of time.