ServiceOntario kiosks shut down temporarily

ServiceOntario kiosks at four Toronto-area malls are where thieves used devices to skim bank card information, which has forced a shut down of service of all kiosks acrossthe province

ServiceOntario and its financial sector partners are investigating the security violation andpolice have been notified, according to Government Services Minister Harinder Thakhar.

The news comes as Toronto and Peel Region police are warning about new methods being used to skim debit and credit cards in the Greater Toronto Area.

Takhar also said the decision to pull the kiosks from service was made "out of an abundance of caution."

No government information obtained

He added he wants to make sure ServiceOntario's customers continue to be protected. There are no signs that the thieves obtained any government information, such as OHIP or driver's licence number.

There are 72 kiosks in Ontario. The four kiosks were targeted at malls in Mississauga,Vaughan, Thornhill and Etobicoke. Those people who used the kiosks will receive a call from their bank.

Customers can still access services at serviceontario.ca or can visit one of nearly 300 ServiceOntario centres in the province.

ServiceOntario provides health card, driver's licences and vehicle registration services, among others.