OREANDA-NEWS. August 22, 2008. In August, anti-skimming devices will be installed in all combined Nordea Bank/Sampo Bank ATMs in order to protect ATM users from data copying and PIN code thefts, reported the press-centre of Nordea Bank.

“The purpose of the installation of the new devices is to raise customers’ sense of security in ATM transactions, as well as to prevent card data copying and PIN code thefts,” Ainar Nurk, head of card operations for Sampo Bank, explained the importance of the project. “Considering the growing global trend of card data thefts, the anti-skimming device serves to provide cardholders with a sense of safety and security in the use of bank services.”

According to Margus Aun, head of card operations for Nordea Bank, security enhancement through the use of anti-skimming devices is a natural part of product development activities for banks. “Even though Estonia has only had a few cases of card data copying, we need to pay attention to security and keep up with technological advances,” said Aun.

In the first stage, the banks will install anti-skimming devices — i.e. devices designed to prevent copying of information from the magnetic strip and PIN code theft— in outdoor ATMs. ATMs equipped with the new devices will come with a PIN-keyboard shield as well as an anti-skimming device in front of the card slot. While the former is designed to prevent disclosure of the PIN code to unauthorised parties, the latter serves to prevent card data copying.

Nordea Bank ATM/The Sampo Bank network is managed in the Baltic States by the international service provider First Data. Sampo Bank and Nordea Bank have a total of 215 ATMs all over the Baltic States, including 79 ATMs in Estonia.

Nordea is the leading financial services group in the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea region. Nordea has nearly 11 million customers and 1,150 branch offices. Nordea is the leader in Internet banking, with 4.4 million e-customers. The Nordea share is listed on the Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen stock exchanges.

Sampo Bank is a part of the Danske Bank Group, which is the largest bank group in Denmark and one of the largest in the Nordic countries. In addition to Denmark and Estonia, the group also has business units in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Germany and Luxembourg.