ATM cash machines have been incorporated in our way of life. They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using an ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24 hours a day DOES NOT mean that it is safe to use. Most ATM robberies occur at night between the hours of 8pm and midnight. ATM robbers are usually males under the age of 25 and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Most ATM robber victims are women and were alone when robbed. Most claim that they never saw the robber coming. Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash. If you or your family members use ATM cash machines on a regular basis, here a some tips that can make the process a little safer:
Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. DO NOT us ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, pillars, walls, or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees. ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses. Robbers like good escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high-speed thoroughfares.
Be sure to choose an ATM that "feels" safer. Everybody gets that feeling that something does not look very safe. Avoid ATM machines that give you that feeling. That extra drive to another one will be well worth it, trust me. Be sure to take someone with you after hours and when it is dark.
Scan the area for suspicious persons before getting out of the car. If you see anybody who you think looks out of place drive away immediately. Or, if it is too late by then be sure to tell them in a loud, stern voice to "Back off and leave me alone!" This is designed to startle the person and hopefully give you time to flee.
Also, as simple as this may seem, be sure to memorize your pin code to speed up the process. You would be surprised how many people do not have this memorized and waste time standing outside trying to find the piece of paper in their wallet or purse that they have it written down on. If someone suspicious starts walking towards you be sure to terminate your transaction and leave at once. Never request help from a stranger and never offer to help an unknown male ahead of you at the ATM machine.
Using your car for a drive up ATM machine apply the same rules. Robbers almost always approach the car from the back of the drivers side. Be sure to be always aware of what is in your mirrors and if someone is approaching you then drive off, even if this means leaving your card inside the machine. If you can not get away then just give up the money. Your life is not worth the money.
If lights around the ATM are not working, please DO NOT use the machine.
Once again, avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places. I can not stress this one enough.
Have your card out and ready to use. Waste as little time as you can getting your money out.
Beware of offers of help from strangers while at the ATM machine.
DO NOT fight with or attempt to follow the robber
Drive or walk to a safe place and immediately call the police if anything were to happen.
These are just a few simple, yet seldom used tips to avoid unnecessary incidents at an ATM machine to keep you and your family safe. Please be aware at all times. It really is not that hard to do.
I can remember a time when the only method of doing any transaction in a bank was on a personal level with a live bank teller. Then during the late 60's I remember seeing my first auto-teller. Many, like me, did our utmost to bypass the darn machine and use the live teller.
Today is a whole new ballgame as they say. Automatic Teller Machines [ATM] can be found just about everywhere.
ATM cash machines [hereafter referred to as teller machines or machines] have been incorporated into our way of life. They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using a teller machine safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because these machines are open and available 24-hours a day does not mean that they are safe to use.
Most robberies at teller machines occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight. Robbers of teller machines are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. These robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Most teller machine victims are women and were alone when robbed. Most claim that they never saw the robber coming. Most perpetrators use a gun or claim to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.
If you or your family members use auto-teller cash machines on a regular basis, the following tips can make the process a little safer.
Use only teller machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. Do not use machines that are remote or hidden by being located behind buildings, behind pillars, walls, or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places in the area around teller machines such as shrubbery or overgrown trees. Thieves like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses. They all like good escape routes such as nearby freeway on-ramps or high-speed thoroughfares.
Even if it is a couple of miles out of the way, choose a machine that looks and feels safer. Try and limit your use to daylight hours.
If possible, take someone with you after hours. When you drive up to a teller machine location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby or sitting in a car, drive away without stopping.
When you approach a teller machine on foot be prepared and have your access card ready. Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. Never accept an offer of help or request help from a suspicious man or woman ahead of you at the machine. If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately, even if it means running away and leaving your bank card in the machine. First, tell the suspicious man or woman in a loud, firm voice to back-off and leave you alone. This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee, if appropriate.
When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately. Take your card and walk away.
If you use your car at a drive-thru teller machine the similar precautions apply. Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the side of the driver. If you see anyone suspicious approaching, drive off even if you have not completed your transaction. If an armed robber confronts you, just give up your money without argument. The cash is not worth serious injury or death. Get to a safe place and call the police immediately.
If lights around the machine are not working, do not use that machine. Do not count your cash in public.
Do not fight with or attempt to follow the robber. Drive or walk to a safe place and immediately call the police.
I urge everyone to make sure everyone in your family is made familiar with these protocols to avoid any problems when using ATM machines.
Now is the time to use our head and put these practices into use.
Both Adam Walls & Bill Wallmuller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Adam Walls has sinced written about articles on various topics from About Branding, Mobile Phone Reviews and Vacation. Adam Walls is the owner of 919 Security, an online self defense products store that specializes in self defense products, home safety products, and much more.