Fast Cash leaves enought time for Fatal Errors - ATM Safety

On my way home last night, I stopped at the bank because I needed to get some cash. My bank doesn’t have a drive up ATM; instead you have to park and if it’s after hours I use my card to give me access to the area where the ATM machine is located inside the bank. There was a person already in there using the machine and since it was a nice day out I just waited outside until they were finished and came out and then they held the door open for me. Now there was certainly plenty of space for me to go in the area and just stand to the side and not be threatening to the person that was in there but I figured it was a nice night so I’d wait outside and not hurry the person along. So as I’m doing my thing, and a man in his 30s or 40s walks in – clean cut, nicely dressed, good-looking guy – and he stands behind me while I’m still at the ATM. Weird, I thought, there’s plenty of space in here and he’s crowding my space! Now I have a very small bubble of personal space but, come on, buddy, give me some room here.  Thankfully I was pretty much already done with the transaction and just took my money and left. It made me think though – what could I have done differently to make myself safer in that situation?

Working in the security industry, I’m usually very aware of cameras and where they are and what they can see from that angle. My mind tends to jump to ways that a particular business is unsecure. For example the way that the ATM areas work is by site code on my ATM card.  That’s why if the door is locked you slide your ATM card in and out and the door unlocks for you – even if you are using an ATM other than that of your regular bank. One must have an ATM card to gain access to where the machine is. I know there is a camera in or near the ATM machine that watches me while I complete my transaction. There are also a number of camera around the bank that are probably watching me too. However, I also know that unless there is a security guard watching the camera 24/7, it’s likely that it will only capture the events that took place and act as a tool for law enforcement after the fact if there is some sort of incident. I imagine that there’s no security guard being paid to watch a monitor at my bank and call authorities if it looks like something is going to go down.

There are scams too that we as consumers have to look out for. Check out this pdf that gives you a play by play of how a customer gets his card and PIN stolen. The bottom line is this: if you feel uncomfortable in a situation – get out! Your money and being a little inconvenienced by having to go to another bank is not worth bodily harm or worse. Unfortunately, there are desperate people that live in our country and desperate people will do desperate things when they feel like their back is against the wall and it’s not difficult to fall victim to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Here are some tips that I’d like to pass along that hopefully you can keep in the back of your mind the next time you stop at an ATM to get some cash:

1 - Always pay close attention to the ATM and your surroundings. Don't select an ATM at the corner of a building -- corners create a blind spot. Use an ATM located near the center of a building. Do your automated banking in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.

2 - Maintain an awareness of your surroundings throughout the entire transaction. Be wary of people trying to help you with ATM transactions. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby. When leaving an ATM make sure you are not being followed. If you are, drive immediately to a police or fire station, or to a crowded, well-lighted location or business.

3 - Do not use an ATM that appears unusual looking or offers options with which you are not familiar or comfortable.

4 - Do not allow people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN. Memorize your PIN; never write it on the back of your card. Do not re-enter your PIN if the ATM eats your card -- contact a bank official. Shield your PIN during the transaction. To guard against others observing you as you key in your PIN at a terminal, stand directly in front of the keyboard or PIN pad to block the view of anyone standing near you.

5 - Never count cash at the machine or in public. Wait until you are in your car or another secure place.

6 - When using a drive-up ATM, keep your engine running, your doors locked and leave enough room to maneuver between your car and the one ahead of you in the drive-up line.

7 - Maintain a supply of deposit envelopes at home or in your car. Prepare all transaction paperwork prior to your arrival at the ATM. This will minimize the amount of time spent at the machine.

8 - Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.

9 - If you are involved in a confrontation with an assailant who demands your money, COMPLY. Money can be replaced – you can’t!

10 - If you know of, or experience a crime at an ATM, report it immediately to the ATM owner and to the local police.

11 - Never give card information out over the phone. No one else ever needs to know your PIN- not even representatives of your financial institution, retail clerks or the police.

12 - Report a lost or stolen card at once. Even though your ATM card cannot be used without your PIN, report a lost or stolen card to your financial institution immediately.

13 - Keep your receipts. To guard against transaction fraud, check your receipts against your monthly statement. If anything looks irregular, or there are any unauthorized transactions, report them to your financial institution immediately.

Feel like you already know all there is to know about ATM Safety, take this quiz: http://www.diebold.com/playingitsafe/quiz/default.htm