Biometrics To Replace ATM Code Soon – CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that with the Bank Verification Number (BVN) in place, biometrics will soon be used for transactions on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) instead of the existing pin code.

Disclosing this in Ibadan at 2017 annual retreat of the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) held at Iyaganku, Ibadan over the weekend, chairman, NeFF, Dipo Fatokun, said, “Operationalising a four sided approach to preventing fraud” were top officials of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), U.S Consulate, Lagos, Consumer Protection Council, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc , Access Bank, First Bank, Mobile Money Operators among other stakeholders in the financial sector of the nation’s economy, LEADERSHIP reports.

According to Fatokun, introduction of biometrics‎ into banking system is part of the effort of the CBN to ensure successful fight against electronic fraud in banking sector.

Fatokun said though, sharing of pin code with a third parties is against the policy of banking sector but, however admitted that it could not be avoided in some circumstances.

He said in situation whereby the account owner is not literate or he is incapacitated, he may be forced to disclose his pin code to third parties.

He said; “Your pin and account details are not supposed to be disclosed to third person but as you rightly said, we have some people who are not literate or incapacitated and that makes them to disclosing their details to third party.

“What we are canvassing is that in a time soon to come, with the BVN in place, biometrics will be used for transactions on ATM.

“That means if you want to transact with your ATM, you will need to use your biometrics. There is no way you can give your finger to a third party. If that is enabling, it will make our system to be more secure and make all our transactions to be validated.

“But biometric electronic devises are very expensive because of the technologies involved but I am sure, we shall get there soon.”