sandipan mukherjee (IP Analyst) 11 June 2012

Money stolen from atm without atm card

My elder-sister had purchased some goods from a shop by using ICICI ATM Debit card in Bhubaneswar on 08-06-2012. She came back to Bangalore from Bhubaneswar on 09-06-2012 in evening flight. After reaching Bangalore, she checked her ICICI savings account balance from internet and shocked to notice that someone has withdrawn Rs 25000 from the ATM located Bhubaneswar in the evening of 09-06-2012 when actually she was in Bhubaneswar airport carrying her ATM card in her purse. She never handed over the ATM card to anyone else nor disclose the PIN number to others. How someone can withdraw the money without ATM card and PIN number from an ATM counter.

She has already blocked the ATM card and submitted a written complaint to the ICICI bank branch along with FIR.

Please suggest what legal action should be taken in this case.

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7 Replies

Prasun Chandra Das (Banker) 11 June 2012

This is virtually impossible. I say 'virtually' because theoritically there is a 1 in a billion chance for such a thing to happen. This can happen if (1) the magnetic strip in the card is stolen, then (2) the data (PIN) in the magnetic strip is downloaded, then (3) a new card with the stolen magnetic strip is made, then (4) the new card is used for cash withdrawal. It requires high-tech thieves to operate, and in this particular case, with so little time period, it seems actually impossible.

Let the bank conduct its own enquiry - pls ask your sister to follow up regularly with the bank's branch. The bank has to be told specifically to verify CCTV footage from the ATM.

Stanley (Not Applicable) 11 June 2012

Yes, CCTV footage is very important for supporting your claim. Let the bank know ASAP so they can save the footage and the police will be able to get their hands on the CCTV footage.

Kumar Doab (FIN) 11 June 2012

You have filed FIR. Obtain CCTV footage thru police as ap.

Hazarae M Raj (Manager (Legal)) 12 June 2012

Dear Sandeepan,

Please post the outcome, since it is an interesting case. CCTV footage will help you in this matter. please also keep safely the relevant records like Airline ticket, boarding pass etc for proving that the card holder was in the airport at time of transaction. You may also file a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman if the issue is not sorted out at the earliest. You may take up with the bank immediately and wait for the reply from the bank before resorting to other means.

sandipan mukherjee (IP Analyst) 12 June 2012

Bank has started investigation from today. I shall update on the investigation accordingly.

Democratic Indian (n/a) 12 June 2012

Appears to be a case of card cloning or card skimming. Card cloning or card skimming is very much possible. It not that difficult or that it requires some so called hi tech knowldege.

Search the net for "card cloning" or "card skimming" one will find plenty of information.

sandipan mukherjee (IP Analyst) 14 September 2013

ICICI bank has returned the money to my sister and they admitted that someone else has stolen the money from the ATM counter using a card cloning technology.