TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems and data reporting. More specifically, this disclosure relates to mobile application-based error response.

BACKGROUND

Card readers are data input devices that read data from a storage medium such as a card or fob. The data may be embedded in a barcode, magnetic strip, computer chip, or other medium. Such devices may be used in a variety of security applications. For example, access control card readers are used to limit access to physical locations. Generally located at a control point such as a locked door or gate, access control card readers may employ a magnetic stripe reader, a biometric reader, a barcode reader, or a proximity reader. Card readers are also used to handle electronic payments and data transfers. For example, automated teller machines use magnetic stripe readers or chip authenticators to allow individuals to withdraw funds from an account. Card readers are also used to perform transactions with merchants.

Card readers present an information security risk because they are often deployed in settings where the devices are unattended and vulnerable to tampering. One common scheme that malicious actors use to obtain personal information from card user's is skimming. Skimming devices may be attached to the internal wiring of a transaction device, such as a fuel pump, or they may be fit over the original card reader. These devices allow the original card reader to continue functioning while the skimming device collects data from input cards. The data collected by card skimmers may then be used to create duplicates of the cards, which in turn compromises the security of any system using the cards as means of restricting access to physical locations or electronic information.

Identification of card skimming devices and security breaches stemming from these devices is complicated because they do not alter the operation of the original card reader. While someone may eventually detect a breach in a system using card readers, the means of detecting such a breach—e.g., seeing an unauthorized individual visiting a restricted area or noticing errant charges to a credit card—do not reveal which card reader is compromised. Detection of compromised card readers is also hindered by their distribution across multiple networks. Different networks may use different card reader identifiers, and many entities operating such security networks may be reluctant to share certain usage statistics that might improve detection of compromised card readers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for card reader error reporting includes a memory and a hardware processor. The memory is configured to store a geolocation application programming interface (API). The processor is configured to receive a complaint initiation signal. A complaint initiation signal includes an indication that a card reader may be compromised, and initiation date and time of the complaint, and geolocation data related to the reporting party. The processor is configured to identify a street address closest to the geolocation data in the complaint using the geolocation API and the set of geolocation data. The processor is further configured to determine that the identified street address is associated with an entity. The processor then calculates a confidence interval as to whether that entity is the type of entity that uses a card reader. The processor is also configured to determine that the confidence interval exceeds a threshold. The processor is configured to determine an identifier of the entity. Additionally, the processor is configured to publish an alert to a data feed. The alert includes an indication that the card reader may be compromised, the initiation date and time of the complaint, the street address that is associated with the entity, and the identifier of the identity.

Certain embodiments provide one or more technical advantages. As an example, an embodiment improves detection of compromised card readers in a network of card readers by collecting user reports of card readers that appear tampered. Additionally, some embodiments improve detection of compromised card readers by extracting geolocation data from images reported by users to determine the locations of tampered card readers. Further, some embodiments construct a data feed from the enriched data correlations related to the potentially tampered card readers. The disclosed embodiments also provide the capability of taking generalized security alerts regarding tampered card readers and evaluating the impact on a specific entity and users that interact with the entity.

The systems and methods described in this disclosure may be integrated into a practical application of a physical security system that employs card readers to control access to different rooms of a building. The disclosed system may be used to not only determine that one or more card readers may be compromised, but to also identify which card reader in the network is compromised and to initiate remedial steps to secure the network. Additionally, the disclosed system may be deployed in a network that processes credit card transactions. For example, the disclosed systems and methods may be used to identify automated teller machines that are compromised by the presence of a skimming device, alert institutions that may transact with the automated teller machine, as well as alert users of the automated teller machine. In both contexts the practical application of the disclosed systems and methods improves digital network security along with the physical security of the relevant locations.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of these advantages. These advantages and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

