[Infowarrior] - Citibank 'hack' limits ATM cash in NYC

[Richard Forno]

Citibank limits ATM cash in city

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/01/03/2008-01-03_citibank_limits_atm_c
ash_in_city-2.html

BY KERRY BURKE and LARRY McSHANE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Thursday, January 3rd 2008, 4:00 AM

A jump in ATM fraud led Citibank to slash the maximum amount of cash
available to customers from their accounts - a security move greeted warily
Wednesday by its patrons.

The new cap on cash kicked out by the company's ATMs began in mid-December
after what Citibank called "isolated fraudulent activity" around the city.

The bank, with 134 branches around town, would not say how many customers
were affected or how much money was involved.

One Brooklyn woman said she went to her bank branch on Christmas Eve and was
unable to take out her normal cash limit, so she called customer assistance.

"She told me customer accounts had been hacked into through cash machines
around the city," the woman said.

"As a result, the bank had decided to slash how much customers could
withdraw from their own accounts. They cut my amount in half.

"She said most New York customers were affected and she suggested I change
my password."

The bank insisted the problem was not national in scope, although it would
not provide any other information. Citibank declined to specify the amount
of the new withdrawal cap.

"Though we can't provide details of ongoing security investigations, we are
working closely with law enforcement on this matter," the bank said in a
two-paragraph statement.

Citibank customers were divided over the new policy.

"It's your account and your money," said Mari Lopez, 22, a Manhattan
student.

Manhattan truck driver Hamadou Boureima favored the move.

"It's a good idea. In case someone steals your card and identity, you'll
have some money left," Boureima said at a Manhattan Citibank branch.
"Otherwise, someone can take everything."

Customers caught short of cash when making ATM withdrawals can call customer
service and get instant access to more money, Citibank said.

The bank said customers were not responsible for fraudulent activity in
their accounts.

That didn't pacify Pam Tinney, 43, of the Bronx, who felt the new limit was
an overreaction.

"If they made the ATMs more secure, we wouldn't have to worry," she said.
"It's our money. We should be able to take out any amount we want, when we
want."

lmcshane at nydailynews.com