MRFC Provide Mitigation Tips for ATM Users

For Immediate Release
June 8, 2018

MRFC Provide Mitigation Tips for ATM Users

The Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC) continues to monitor any threats and hazards to the region. In light of recent reports regarding an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) skimming device, the MRFC advises the community to be alert for similar devices and their potential impact on consumers, businesses, and financial institutions.

The MRFC are in coordination with all appropriate stakeholders to include local financial institutions, local law enforcement, federal, and local private sector entities to monitor and assess situations such as ATM skimming.

Residents and visitors are advised to practice the following open source tips to avoid ATM skimmers:

· Use ATMs from your banking institution, preferably ATMs that are in secured access rooms for bank members that have 24/7 CCTV systems.

· For ATMs, inspect the device. Look for uneven colors or loose PIN pads and tug on the card slot before inserting your card.

· Avoid paying for gas at the pump; pay inside and with cash when possible.

· Check the machine for tampering. The presence of scratches, tape, or adhesive residue could indicate a fraudulent device.

· Avoid gas pumps where the tamper-safe security seal affixed to the pump has been broken or security tape appears fake or out of place.

· Look at other nearby gas pumps or ATM card readers to see if they match the one you are using.

· Look above and around the keypad for suspicious cameras/miniature cameras.

· Place your hand over the keypad when entering your PIN.

· It is advisable to monitor financial statements for fraudulent activity frequently.

· While processing an ATM financial transaction and a skimmer device is discovered, report it to local law enforcement immediately.

· Report any fraudulent credit card activity to the card issuing agency

If you see suspicious activity, relating the current events, report them to local law enforcement and the MRFC online at mlrin.org or email teammrfc@mlrin.org or call 475-0400/1.

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at ‪(671) 489-2540 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.