Commercial Bank has clarified that the interruption in services experienced on February 3 and 5 morning was due to a scheduled system upgrade and not because the Bank was hacked, as reported by some concerned members of the public. 

The Bank said it had communicated the scheduled system upgrade to customers through ATM notices and other notices that were displayed at branches well in advance. 

Further, the Bank clarified clearly the system upgrade had nothing to with the skimming attacks that were reported in the media recently. ‘The Bank wishes to reiterate that these are two separate incidents and no security breach has happened to Commercial Bank systems,’ it said. 

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Payment Card Industry Association of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association, said recently reported skimming attacks had been brought under control and that ATM networks and cards were now safe for transacting. 

It said member banks that had acted promptly to verify and re-credit accounts that had been compromised through skimming activity. It had also proactively communicated with customers whose cards had been used at locations where the skimming had taken place. 

‘We wish to confirm that all member banks have taken steps to bring the situation under control no sooner the compromised details were identified,’ it said in a statement. ‘All banks are working collectively with relevant authorities to bring the fraudsters to justice.’ 

While reassuring the public that it was safe to transact using cards at ATM network, the two banking associations requested that customers contact their respective banks immediately should any unauthorized or suspicious transaction take place. 

Further, it advised customers to subscribe to SMS transaction alerts to be aware of any transaction that may take place with or without their knowledge.