ATM Safety Tips | Springfield, MO (2024)

FAQs

ATM Safety Tips | Springfield, MO? ›

Memorize your PIN and do not write it on your ATM card or carry it in your wallet or purse. Select a PIN that is different from your address, birth date, SSN, etc. Don't tell anyone your PIN. When using the ATM, stand directly in front of the keyboard, blocking the view of anyone nearby.

Choose an ATM that is well-lighted and monitored by a surveillance camera or a security guard. If you are using an indoor ATM that requires your card to open the door, avoid letting anyone that you do not know come in with you. Once inside the vestibule, make sure the door is completely closed behind you.

Always use an ATM that is on a busy street or in a secure building. Avoid using an ATM after midnight or one that's in a deserted place. Even if you are using the ATM at night, ensure it is not in a dark corner. Do not use an ATM if you feel the surroundings are unsafe or notice any suspicious persons lurking around.

Use secure ATM machines – under video surveillance or inside of a bank lobby. They're less likely to be tampered with. Thieves have to take more risk installing skimmers where there are security cameras. Cover the ATM keypad as you're entering your PIN — just in case there's a hidden camera around.

An ATM withdrawal limit is the maximum amount of cash you can withdraw within a specified period. For example, an ATM may restrict daily withdrawals to no more than $1,000. ATMs often impose daily limits. This is for security purposes and to maintain enough cash to service customers at any time.

Hardware Malfunctions

Hardware issues are among the most common reasons for ATMs not working. They can range from minor inconveniences to severe malfunctions, including: Card Reader Issues: A frequent problem is the card reader's inability to read debit or credit cards due to wear and tear or debris accumulation.

Don't use ATMs that have damaged or loose parts or look as if they have been tampered with. “Try wiggling the card reader area to see if it feels loose or if there is a 'cover' over it,” advises Wenzler. “That could be a sign of a skimmer having been placed on top of the actual card reader itself.”

What triggers an ATM alarm? ›

Alarm. The ATM alarm is a sensor that emits a loud noise to deter criminals from continuing with their attempts. It can be triggered by various things, such as someone trying to break into the ATM, use the ATM without authorized access, or remove the ATM from its location.

The best one can conclude is that the overall rate of ATM-related crime is somewhere between one per 1 million and one per 3.5 million transactions, suggesting that such crime is relatively rare. But the figures, without further analysis and some comparative context, do not tell us much about the risks of ATM robbery.

In general, when a bank is notified about an unauthorized electronic transfer, it must investigate the situation and report to the account holder in a specific amount of time. If the transaction is unauthorized, the bank must refund all or part of the money depending on how quickly the account holder notified the bank.

Yes, it's possible, but not easy. First, ATMs are VERY heavy and often bolted into concrete. The thieves steal them by ramming a stolen truck through the doors, wrapping a logging chain around the ATM, then accellerating to rip it free from the floor and pull it outside, then several men need to load it into the truck.