Crime Prevention Message – ‘Shoulder Surfing’

On this month’s Crimecall, Sergeant John Fitzpatrick was in studio and provided Crime Prevention information in relation to ‘Shoulder Surfing’.

An Garda Síochána is advising people to be highly conscious of their surroundings when using payment cards and mobile devices in public. Criminals use "shoulder surfing" to observe you entering your PIN at ATMs, in shops, or while logging into mobile banking apps.

“Shoulder Surfing” is a social engineering tactic where criminals look over an individual’s shoulder in order to steal sensitive information, such as ATM PINs, passwords, etc. This information can then be used to steal someone’s identity, commit fraud or gain unauthorised access to accounts.

If they have your pin code, they still want your card. They try to steal it from you by talking to you, or by pretending to find money on the street or bringing your attention to a staged incident, for example. In other words, there will be a distraction, allowing them to steal your card or phone and later emptying your bank account.

Some advices we would give to prevent “Shoulder Surfing”, include:

• Shield Inputs: Use your hand or wallet to cover when entering a PIN at an ATM, checkout counter.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert while socialising or paying for items in busy environments.
• Never say credentials aloud: Avoid reading out sensitive information or account details whilst in public.
• Create Distance: If you feel someone is standing too close behind you while you are making a transaction, politely ask for more privacy or wait for them to move away.

 Some advices we would give to prevent deception theft, include:

• Maintain Possession: Keep purses, wallets and phones on your possession in a secure place.
• If you notice your card or phone is missing, or spot suspicious transactions, freeze or cancel your cards immediately via your banking app, then report the theft to your local Garda station.
• Be Cautious with Strangers: Be polite but wary of unsolicited approaches, decline offers of help that feel intrusive or unnecessary.