Banks in the United Arab Emirates are reportedly set to introduce iris scanning technology at the ATM, following a recent surge in cash machine fraud across the country.
In September banks across the UAE were forced to send customers text messages urging them to change their PIN numbers following a spate of fraudulent ATM withdrawals.
Criminals stole PIN numbers and used them to make counterfeit cards before withdrawing cash overseas.
Citi, Lloyds TSB, HSBC, Dubai Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Emirates NBD were all affected, leading to hundreds of thousands of customers queuing at cash machines to change their PINs.
A staggering 42% of Dubai Bank customers are believed to have been affected by the fraud.
According to the Khaleej Times, the ministry of interior has now reached an agreement with the UAE Central Bank and other banks in the country to roll out iris scanning technology in a bid to put an end to ATM fraud.
The paper quotes Major-General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, director, Abu Dhabi police central operations, as saying the agreement should go into effect in January.
Iris Scans for Bank Customers - Khaleej Times