ATM Video Surveillance: How to Use ATM Security Cameras Capabilities (2024)

According to the European Safe Transaction Association (EAST), in 2018 the number of physical attacks on ATM machines in Europe increased by 27% (from 3,584 to 4,449 incidents), and the amount of money stolen this way increased by 16% (from 31 to 36 million Euro).

Our case analysis showed that despite having all the necessary tools, banks did not use their full functionality to prevent the crimes. For example, banks turned to atm surveillance video only to get information on transactions, although it provides many more benefits. The modern video surveillance solutions increase the basic level of self-service devices protection, provide proactive ATM protection, simplify access to video when resolving disputes, and optimize operating with large amounts of transaction data.

The bank must have a high-quality reliable network connection with its terminals, a dedicated server for storing data, and strict access control procedures to realize all these functions.

1. Real-time response to attacks
Modern ATM surveillance systems are capable of reporting incidents in real time. If attackers try to force a terminal, the bank’s security service receives an alarm notification and event footage and can respond immediately. Notice, that special alarm sensors should be installed on the ATM to realize this function.

The system can be configured so that the alarm notifications come to the mobile phone. In addition, you can set a scenario when any unlawful impact on an ATM occurs. Your scenario could close the doors to the space where the cash machine is located, send a signal to the police, and turn off the terminal.

When anyone covers the ATM security cameras or a hidden camera, the video surveillance system sends a notification to the bank’s security service. The officer can turn off the ATM, so that the criminals will not be able to copy information or install any malware on the ATM computer.

Thus, modern video surveillance systems are able to protect both from physical and a range of logical attacks. Various ATM anti-skimming devices and anti skimming technologies like white noise generators can be installed as additional ATM skimming prevention tools. These tools stop data transmission from the magnetic stripe and card readers to the attackers. This is an essential element of ATM physical security used to protect user’s bank card data and prevent skimming attacks.

2. Data security
Video security solutions help associate a transaction with a photo or video. The camera records everything that is happening in front of it during ATM transactions.

All recorded photos or videos are stored on an ATM, so bank employees must have physical access to ATMs to get this information. In a case of dispute, they have to go to the ATM, copy the files and bring them to the security office. This increases the incident response time. And if the bank has a need to process information from several ATMs, the time increases in proportion to the number of terminals.

Another problem is that data may be deleted during ATM maintenance.

In a case of ATM theft, all the recorded data will be lost. Even if the camera detects the faces of criminals, this will not help the police. Unfortunately in this case the video evidence will stay in the hands of intruders, as well as the money.

Comprehensive video surveillance solves the problem of data storage. The centralized management system allows banks to gather information from all of their ATMs and store it on a well-protected bank server. The data can be stored on the server for a long time. In some countries this period is regulated by law.

3. Access to photo and video of transactions
Photos and videos collected from all ATMs are stored on a server. The bank can easily search for the necessary information about any transaction by various parameters (card number, transaction date, event or alarm). The system collects information from all devices of the terminal network, so you can search through your entire ATM fleet. This reduces the response time to disputes and requires less effort from the bank to resolve them.

Card details are masked according to PCI Data Security Standard to ensure a high level of personal data security. Only authorized users can access them.

4. Face detection and recognition
Modern video surveillance systems provide a face detection function. It determines whether there actually is anybody in front of a self-service device during the transaction. And if the face is not detected the ATM does not cash out. This reduces the risk of some fraudulent actions.

Face recognition is the next step in modern video surveillance solution. It can be used as a factor or as a full-fledged way of authorization of ATM users, service personnel and CIT officers. It also links the user’s face with their transaction, so banks can find all transactions in which certain individuals were involved.

ATMeye.iQ from BS/2

BS/2, a developer of software solutions for banks and other commercial organizations, offers a multi-vendor video surveillance solution – ATMeye.iQ.

ATMeye.iQ can easily be integrated into an already functioning banking infrastructure, and provides many valuable services, such as event-based snapshotting and video capturing, pre-record and post-record features and camera status check.

You can learn more about ATMeye.iQ product from our company representatives.

ATM Video Surveillance: How to Use ATM Security Cameras Capabilities (2024)

FAQs

What can ATM cameras see? ›

ATM security cameras can monitor and record potential skimming operations and even stop them before it starts. Hidden camera prevention – Criminals have also turned to using small hidden cameras to try and steal ATM pin numbers.

Do ATM cameras record all the time? ›

Data security

The camera records everything that is happening in front of it during ATM transactions. All recorded photos or videos are stored on an ATM, so bank employees must have physical access to ATMs to get this information.

How far can ATM cameras see? ›

The camera delivers the perfect view of the customer in front of the ATM… Customers typically stand approximately 2 feet (61 cm) away from the camera when they are using an ATM. With the MegaPX ATM camera, this yields an impressive 3 ft (91 cm) vertical view of the customer.

How long is ATM camera footage stored? ›

Banks: ATM security footage is retained for an average of six months, with some banks and countries requiring more or less, according to Reolink.

How do you tell if a security camera can see you? ›

Check the status of the LEDs in the IP security cameras

It's also a quick way to tell if a security camera has night vision. You can use a book or any covers to block the light falling on your security camera. If you see the lights turn red, it means that the security camera is on.

Can security cameras record conversations? ›

In short, the answer is yes, CCTV camera systems are designed to record audio in conjunction with images.

Where are the cameras located on an ATM? ›

Hidden Camera

A concealed camera is typically used in conjunction with the skimming device in order to record members typing their PIN into the ATM keypad. Cameras are usually concealed somewhere on the front of the ATM.

How long does a camera footage last? ›

Generally, security camera footage lasts from three months to one year based on cases. The old footage is deleted automatically to create space for new recordings. Note that each security camera is different and storage space too. A few businesses and financial institutions have a large amount of storage capacity.

How do banks investigate ATM withdrawals? ›

Banks use a lot of data to investigate ATM and card incidents. The information analyzed includes ATM and incident location data, IP addresses, photos, and videos of the ATM at the time of the crime, analysis of bank account activity, transaction data, behavioral factors and more.

How many times are you caught on security camera per day? ›

You've Underestimated How Often It Is

"There are less than 5% chances of an average to be captured on camera per day", many respondents have discussed about it and made the comment.

How far can security cameras hear? ›

Audio Quality Of Home Security Cameras

As you can see in the table, most audio CCTV cameras have decent microphones that will pick up sound from a distance of around 15 feet. If you need to record audio from further away than that, you may want to consider getting a camera with an external microphone.

What is the most distance a security camera can see? ›

What is the longest distance for a security camera? A professional PTZ security camera can see things over 1,000 feet (almost 305m). However, most regular security cameras can only see in a range between 10 to 75 feet, which is enough to monitor home properties.

Do banks check ATM footage? ›

Q: How Do You Get ATM Security Camera Footage

Usually, a bank won't provide bank security camera footage to individuals. You have to report you case to the police and then the bank will show the camera footage to the police officers after confirmation.

Do store cameras delete footage? ›

What Happens to Old Security Footage? Once your security camera hard drive has reached maximum storage capacity, it will simply overwrite older footage and replace it with new footage. Older footage is automatically erased to make way for new videos, ensuring you always have the most recent video available.

Can ATM transactions be traced? ›

Every branch of the bank is associated with certain ATMs in nearby locations. They are always marked with specific ATM IDs, which lets you trace the bank, branch, and location of the ATMs. However, you need to have the ATM transaction slip/receipt that is provided when you perform the ATM withdrawal.

Can security cameras hear what you say? ›

If you ask: can security cameras record audio? The answer is definitely YES in terms of the camera technology. In virtue of the built-in microphones that are sensitive enough to pick up the sound within the monitoring zones, the IP cameras are capable to record both audio and videos.

What does a red light on a security camera mean? ›

A solid red light on a security camera means there is NOT a local internet or an internet connection.

How can I tell if its a hidden camera or recording device? ›

7 Ways to Spot Hidden Cameras
  1. Look for Odd Objects. It's a good practice to thoroughly scan your surroundings whenever you enter a new room. ...
  2. Use a Flashlight. ...
  3. Use Your Smartphone Camera. ...
  4. Scan the Wi-Fi Network. ...
  5. Use a Phone Call to Detect Interference. ...
  6. Use a Hidden Camera Detector App. ...
  7. Use a Specialized RF Detector.

What's the difference between surveillance cameras and security cameras? ›

Security cameras are designed to deter crime, and surveillance cameras are primarily used for monitoring purposes. Surveillance cameras are usually hidden from the public eye, while security cameras are easily visible inside places of business and other venues.

Do security cameras work without Wi-Fi? ›

Do all home security cameras require Wi-Fi? Not all home security cameras require Wi-Fi. Some cameras, like the Arlo Go and the Reolink Go, can use LTE plans instead of Wi-Fi. Other home security cameras aren't connected to the internet at all but rather record onto local storage like hard drives.

What does a blue light on a security camera mean? ›

A solid blue light indicates that the camera has been paired with an account and is connected to your router. A blinking blue light indicates that the camera has lost connection to the Internet and is trying to reconnect.

How does ATM security work? ›

To protect the information stored on the card with a magnetic stripe, its encryption is used. In order for machines of the same bank to accept plastic cards with a magnetic stripe, they use one key for encryption. Currently, most ATMs use a triple data encryption standard.

How does ATM security system work? ›

An IoT-based ATM security system is a system that uses IoT technology to connect various devices and sensors to the internet, allowing for remote monitoring and control. These devices include cameras, motion sensors, and other security-related equipment.

Which camera is used in ATM machine? ›

You are correct, the security cameras that are typically installed inside of bank ATM machines are pinhole cameras.

How often do security cameras delete footage? ›

In general, most security camera footage is kept for 30 to 90 days (1 to 3 months the most).

How do I delete camera footage? ›

Method 2, DVR/NVR: How to delete security camera footage from DVR/NVR
  1. Connect your DVR/NVR to a monitor.
  2. Log in to the DVR/NVR and go to its Device Settings.
  3. Find the disk management option, and then you can format the hard disk drive to delete all your camera's video history and snapshots.

How much storage do I need for security cameras? ›

Let's get started with some fundamentals of good CCTV storage. Essentially, CCTV storage varies broadly between the range of 6GB and 6TB. While 6GB - 60GB works well in the case of motion-based and low-resolution cameras, those with recording at higher resolution require 600GB - 6TB.

Does the IRS track ATM withdrawals? ›

Under the terms of the Bank Secrecy Act, financial institutions are currently required to report any deposits or withdrawals of $10,000 or more. They also provide their customers and the IRS with Form 1099-INTs relating to any accounts that earn interest of more than $10 annually.

How long does an ATM investigation take? ›

Wait for the bank to investigate: Under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the bank must investigate an ATM error within 10 days. This investigative period may be extended up to 45 days if the bank is willing to put the amount you say is correct in your account during that time as a provisional credit.

How much can you withdraw from an ATM without getting flagged? ›

Thanks to the Bank Secrecy Act, financial institutions are required to report withdrawals of $10,000 or more to the federal government. Banks are also trained to look for customers who may be trying to skirt the $10,000 threshold. For example, a withdrawal of $9,999 is also suspicious.

Can security cameras see you at night? ›

When a camera tries to see in the dark, it needs a light source to illuminate the area below it. Unfortunately, the night vision illuminators that come with consumer cameras are designed for short range only and are of a fixed brightness.

How do you avoid getting caught by security cameras? ›

Try simply disguising yourself. If it is more important to avoid being identified than it is to escape detection, then you might be able to get away with covering your face. Wear dark glasses, a kerchief, a ski mask, or other face-obscuring garb.

How can I see multiple security cameras at once? ›

The devices called video multiplexers and digital video recorders (DVRs) are used to integrate visuals from multiple video cameras on a single screen. A multiplexer is a small device that takes input video signals from one or more cameras and provides one or more video streams as the output.

What angle does a security camera see? ›

Standard Angle

As the name implies, this is the field of view for most cameras. It has a viewing angle of 25 to 60 degrees. You'll only capture one-third of the scene at most, but with much greater detail and clarity, as objects and people appear closer to the camera.

How far can outdoor security cameras see in night? ›

For outdoor use, we recommend cameras with a night vision range of at least 40 feet, whereas indoor cameras need a night vision range of up to 20 feet. Are infrared cameras better than cameras with color night vision? In most cases, infrared cameras are better than color night vision.

Are there blind spots for security cameras? ›

Since all cameras have limited range, all areas may not be monitored. Every security camera will have a blind spot but in order to successfully cover as much ground as possible, CCTV security systems must be designed with a 'zero blind spot' capability.

Are ATM deposits monitored? ›

The fact that your bank will report any cash deposits or withdrawals in excess of $10,000 isn't necessarily cause for alarm. The intent is to identify and monitor where the money ends up, Castaneda says. "It should not be construed as illegal activity," he says.

Where is security camera footage stored? ›

There are two main strategies for storing security camera footage: locally onsite and in the cloud. Local storage is any footage retained onboard the camera itself (such as a wireless security camera system with hard drive storage) or within the central NVR storage or DVR storage.

Do grocery stores watch Security cameras? ›

Supermarkets don't prevent theft with cameras; they monitor it and they try to prevent the thieves from leaving the store. The CCTV system also documents thefts (both outsiders and employees) and provides evidence that can be used if the thief returns or the police are able to apprehend the person and charge them.

What do store cameras see? ›

Hidden cameras classify you by age, sex, and ethnicity, and even detect your body language and mood. Even your bank account records are being pried into.

What do ATM cameras record? ›

The camera records everything that is happening in front of it during ATM transactions. All recorded photos or videos are stored on an ATM, so bank employees must have physical access to ATMs to get this information. In a case of dispute, they have to go to the ATM, copy the files and bring them to the security office.

What is skimming ATM? ›

Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture data or record cardholders' PINs. Criminals use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and then steal from victims' accounts.

What is ATM cash trapping? ›

This fairly common and simple type of fraud is called cash trapping. Cash trapping involves placing a special overlay with adhesive tape on the cash hole, which blocks the withdrawal of money. In this case, the inattentive bank customer may think that the ATM is defective or has run out of money.

What can cameras not see? ›

White balance and memory colors

This is because the human brain possesses what we call “memory colors;” a basic set of colors that are so familiar that even lighting variances cannot confuse. Your camera cannot remember what color white is when it is captured under different types of lighting.

Can banks look at ATM footage? ›

No, ATM footage will only be shown to officials when they subpoena the bank. ATM footage is sensitive information and cannot be available to the public.

What color can cameras not see? ›

The simple demonstration is that individuals lacking red-sensitive cone cells, protanopes, in addition to being insensitive to red light, cannot distinguish violet, blue, or cyan. Digital cameras distinguish colors in about the same was as the human eye.

Is there a material that cameras can't see? ›

Fooling infrared cameras is not new. Over the past few years, researchers have developed other materials made of graphene and black silicon that toy with electromagnetic radiation, also hiding objects from cameras.

Can surveillance cameras hear you? ›

The simple answer is yes – many security cameras have audio features. Those features usually fall into one of these categories: communication, triggering video recording, audio recording, and surveillance.

Where is ATM camera? ›

Hidden Camera

A concealed camera is typically used in conjunction with the skimming device in order to record members typing their PIN into the ATM keypad. Cameras are usually concealed somewhere on the front of the ATM.

How do I know if my ATM has a skimmer? ›

Skimmers are often placed on top of the actual card reader making it stick out at an odd angle or cover arrows in a panel. Compare the card reader to others at a neighboring ATM or gas pump and look out for any differences. Gas pumps should have a security tape or sticker over the cabinet panel.

What amount of bank withdrawal is flagged? ›

If you withdraw $10,000 or more, federal law requires the bank to report it to the IRS in an effort to prevent money laundering and tax evasion.

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