MasterCard is reporting successful beta test results of a counterfeit card detection system with four banks in Malaysia.
The test involved the use of Magneprint technology from MagTek Inc, at point-of-sale terminals in Kuala Lumpur and was conducted in collaboration with Citibank Berhad, HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad, MBF Cards (M'sia) Sendirian Berhad and Southern Bank Berhad.
For the trial, which began in June 2002 and continues through to December 2003, more than 250 merchant terminals have been retro-fitted with Magneprint-capable readers and the terminals re-programmed to send the Magneprint value for each card with the authorisation request message to the card issuer's host system for verification. The magneprint value is a unique identifier intrinsic to each card and not replicable by skimming.
To date, more than 65,000 cards with Magneprint references are on file and utilised, resulting in almost 700,000 scored Magneprint transactions. The beta test has also successfully detected skimmed cards during the test period, says MasterCard.
Joel Lisker, senior vice president, MasterCard security and risk management, comments: "Magneprint is the leading technology in the market today to help prevent skimming by identifying a cloned card when introduced at the point-of-sale. The solution can be implemented quickly without having to reissue cards."