Paersonal safety at ATM machines; part 2

Greetings,

In a previous post we wrote about personal safety when using an ATM machine.

Knowing your surroundings play a major role in keeping yourself safe.

Let’s continue with part 2 of Personal safety at an ATM machine.

• Choose an ATM that looks and ‘feels’ safer, even if it is a couple of miles
  out of the way.
• Try and limit your use to daylight hours. Take someone with you after hours,
  if you can.
  
  
• When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons.
  If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby or sitting in a car, drive away.
• When you approach an ATM 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 to help or request for help from a suspicious male 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 ATM card in the machine.
• First, tell the suspicious male 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, extract your
  card, and walk away.

• If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply.
• Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the
  ATM machine.
• Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction.
• Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the driver’s side. If you see
  anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your A TM card behind.

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!

As always, we hope you find these tips and guidelines useful.

If you have some comments on personal safety or security and you would like to share,
please help your fellow man or woman and leave us your comment.

Thanks for reading and stay safe,

Trapper

PS…have you picked up your copy of our 40 reports on personal safety and security?

It’s available at: http://www.personalsafetyebook.com/PPP.html