Cybercriminals Can Drain Bank Accounts With Only ATM Card Details – Delta Police Warn
The Delta State Police Command has issued a serious warning to the public regarding a new wave of cybercrime in which fraudsters can steal money from bank accounts using only basic ATM card information.
The alert was issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who revealed that criminals no longer need physical access to ATM cards, phones, or personal identification numbers (PINs) to commit fraud. Instead, they are now exploiting just the card number, expiry date, and CVV code to carry out unauthorized transactions.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, SP Edafe said:
“Only a picture of these details in the hands of scammers, your money is gone. They don’t need to have your pin or your phone. They are not required to have an OTP. All you will see is debit upon debit until your money is completely wiped out.”
The police urged Nigerians to handle their cards with the utmost care and avoid giving them to others, even for simple errands. SP Edafe warned against sharing photos of ATM cards on social media or via messaging apps, as scammers can exploit this information to clean out bank accounts.
“Take care of your cards, and don’t use your cards to send people on errands to help you buy anything. Don’t say the Police did not tell you. Peace,” he added.
This warning comes amid a spike in card-related fraud across the country, as cybercriminals adopt more sophisticated tactics to bypass traditional banking security measures. Authorities are urging the public to enable transaction alerts, use virtual cards for online purchases, and regularly review bank statements for any suspicious activity.
