Withdrawing your money from ATM's

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Permalink Reply by jacquesk on February 17, 2009 at 10:54

Hi Marie
I doubt most thieves keep an eye on EFTPOS transaction rates and act accordingly. :-)

Not sure where you live but the chances of being robbed at the ATM by anyone other than the bank are pretty slim IMHO. You can minimise your chances of being jumped by following the following suggestions:

* Have a list of safe ATMs in your area. I know near where I live where I can find and ATM in a shopping center (with a guard) if I needed it late at night.
* Do not face the ATM completely. I like to keep a side profile to it so I can see what is happening around me.
* Body posture/Language is also important or as one of my friends says "put on your best f*ck off face".
* Scan who is about when using an ATM at night and/or in a dodgy neighbourhood.
* Minimising your time at the ATM. I am always amazed by the people who read every screen even though the instructions haven't changed in a decade. I can be in and out of the ATM in under half a minute. Every moment you are focussed on the screen you are not focused on what is happening around you.
* Use an ATM solely to get money. If I want to know my balance I use a web interface not the ATM.
* Pocket the money quickly rather than counting it at the ATM. Even if the ATM did stuff it up (unlikely) what can you do about it then and there? Same thing for reading the bit of paper with your balance on it at the ATM.

If you make these relatively simple additions a habits when you use an ATM the non likely will be reduced even further.

PS Am I paranoid? Possibly! But on the other hand anyone who is going to rob me will have their work cut out for them. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Marie on February 18, 2009 at 0:49

I've learnt a bit from this advice - I DO face ATM completely! I DO count the money while I am there. Like you say Jacquesk -what can you do if the money's not right?
I withdrew money from ATM once and this couple were walking pass and said hello to me, I didn't know them. They got my best f*ck off face!

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Permalink Reply by jacquesk on February 18, 2009 at 11:09

I mentioned this post to my gym buddy at lunch. She thought I was being completely paranoid. I replied that I might be paranoid due to having a misspent youth and too many years in the martial arts. I also said it is just a protective mindset that if it saves me once then it is worth it. Its like getting your car keys out before you get off the train. Means you are not fumbling around in your bag at the side of the car.

FWIW I believe the majority of people on this planet are decent good folk. Just worried about the odd idiot (and his mates).

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