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Contents
The Lebanese Loop is a fraud that involves the withdrawal of a card from its owner (holder) in a very ingenuous way. If most of the fraud options with bank cards are only aimed at obtaining their details using various software and hardware tricks (for example, skimming or phishing) for the subsequent emptying of accounts, then the purpose of this method is to obtain the plastic card itself.
How the Lebanese Loop scam works
This exotic method was invented in Lebanon, hence its name.
The fraudster places the so-called "Lebanese loop" in the ATM card reader, which is a blocker made of photographic film (something like a trap). A user of banking services inserting a card into an ATM, in reality, inserts it into a pre-prepared "envelope" made of film, in which it "safely" gets stuck.
Naturally, the owner of the stuck card begins to worry and be in a slight panic.
As a rule, at this moment the “caring person” is nearby (perhaps he will even dress in the uniform of bank employees) and offers to perform a number of operations to save the card, including re-entering the pin code.
The natural panic of a bank client, a “qualified advisor” who “accidentally” is nearby and actively tries to help - everything leads to the fact that at a certain moment, the bank's client dials a PIN code for a fraudster. Result: the bank card is in a pre-established "trap", and the pin code becomes known to the fraudster. After all the manipulations, the fraudster advises to draw up an application for the return of the card at the bank branch. As soon as the cardholder leaves the ATM, the fraudster quickly removes the card together with his "envelope" from the film. A few minutes - and the card is completely empty.
If at the time of card manipulation at the ATM the PIN code could not be found out, the fraudster still takes the card and spends funds from it in any trading network.
It is worth noting that for this method, scammers choose ATMs that are located at a significant distance from the bank branch.
How to protect yourself from fraud
The main measures to protect cards from theft using the "Lebanese loop" method are implemented by banking institutions. For this, new models of ATMs have modified card readers, which fix the card in case it gets stuck there. Until the arrival of the collectors and the withdrawal of the card, it will be impossible to use such an ATM. Another option is bright illumination of the entire perimeter of the card capture reader. In this case, it is very easy to notice the edges of the fraudulent "envelope" for fixing the cards.
In many ways, the responsibility for using the cards lies with the owners themselves. In cases where the card is fixed by an ATM, it is important to be as careful as possible: it is worth inspecting the card collector for any suspicious details (protruding ends of a wire, fishing line or film). Try to pull on them, you may be able to independently remove the trap with your card. But if you feel that you are "under surveillance", then you do not need to do this in order to avoid a conflict with the fraudster.
First of all, block the card and do not leave the ATM until you are convinced that it is blocked (usually the corresponding confirmation comes in an SMS message). This can be done by calling the bank's hotline or by SMS command when the mobile bank is on. By the way, we recommend that you write down the hotline number in advance in your cell phone contacts. And read the article “ What to do if the ATM has eaten the card?», It is possible that your card is stuck for completely different reasons.
In such cases, you need to refuse outside help, your best assistant is the staff of the bank - the owner of the ATM. You can find the required contact number on the ATM itself. Call it and find out when and where you can get your plastic.
And in no case tell anyone your PIN code, even bank employees.
In any case, your card will already be blocked, which means that your money on the card account will be safe. Money can be withdrawn using a passport at any branch of the bank, and the card itself can be reissued due to loss.
- 1. How the Lebanese Loop scam works
- 2. How to protect yourself from fraud
The Lebanese Loop is a fraud that involves the withdrawal of a card from its owner (holder) in a very ingenuous way. If most of the fraud options with bank cards are only aimed at obtaining their details using various software and hardware tricks (for example, skimming or phishing) for the subsequent emptying of accounts, then the purpose of this method is to obtain the plastic card itself.
How the Lebanese Loop scam works
This exotic method was invented in Lebanon, hence its name.
The fraudster places the so-called "Lebanese loop" in the ATM card reader, which is a blocker made of photographic film (something like a trap). A user of banking services inserting a card into an ATM, in reality, inserts it into a pre-prepared "envelope" made of film, in which it "safely" gets stuck.
Naturally, the owner of the stuck card begins to worry and be in a slight panic.
As a rule, at this moment the “caring person” is nearby (perhaps he will even dress in the uniform of bank employees) and offers to perform a number of operations to save the card, including re-entering the pin code.
The natural panic of a bank client, a “qualified advisor” who “accidentally” is nearby and actively tries to help - everything leads to the fact that at a certain moment, the bank's client dials a PIN code for a fraudster. Result: the bank card is in a pre-established "trap", and the pin code becomes known to the fraudster. After all the manipulations, the fraudster advises to draw up an application for the return of the card at the bank branch. As soon as the cardholder leaves the ATM, the fraudster quickly removes the card together with his "envelope" from the film. A few minutes - and the card is completely empty.
If at the time of card manipulation at the ATM the PIN code could not be found out, the fraudster still takes the card and spends funds from it in any trading network.
It is worth noting that for this method, scammers choose ATMs that are located at a significant distance from the bank branch.
How to protect yourself from fraud
The main measures to protect cards from theft using the "Lebanese loop" method are implemented by banking institutions. For this, new models of ATMs have modified card readers, which fix the card in case it gets stuck there. Until the arrival of the collectors and the withdrawal of the card, it will be impossible to use such an ATM. Another option is bright illumination of the entire perimeter of the card capture reader. In this case, it is very easy to notice the edges of the fraudulent "envelope" for fixing the cards.
In many ways, the responsibility for using the cards lies with the owners themselves. In cases where the card is fixed by an ATM, it is important to be as careful as possible: it is worth inspecting the card collector for any suspicious details (protruding ends of a wire, fishing line or film). Try to pull on them, you may be able to independently remove the trap with your card. But if you feel that you are "under surveillance", then you do not need to do this in order to avoid a conflict with the fraudster.
First of all, block the card and do not leave the ATM until you are convinced that it is blocked (usually the corresponding confirmation comes in an SMS message). This can be done by calling the bank's hotline or by SMS command when the mobile bank is on. By the way, we recommend that you write down the hotline number in advance in your cell phone contacts. And read the article “ What to do if the ATM has eaten the card?», It is possible that your card is stuck for completely different reasons.
In such cases, you need to refuse outside help, your best assistant is the staff of the bank - the owner of the ATM. You can find the required contact number on the ATM itself. Call it and find out when and where you can get your plastic.
And in no case tell anyone your PIN code, even bank employees.
In any case, your card will already be blocked, which means that your money on the card account will be safe. Money can be withdrawn using a passport at any branch of the bank, and the card itself can be reissued due to loss.
