Re: ATMs

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@kaydee50 wrote:
@Trinity11 wrote:
@kaydee50 wrote:
Got money today at a Citibank ATM. You need the debit card to open the door to get to the machines. While I was getting cash, a man was trying to use his card to get in and could not. When I left I made sure the door closed behind me so that he could not get in.
He said "thanks a lot" but although I kind of felt bad, I will not allow access on my card.

What would you have done??

I would have kept the door open so he could get in.

Your card was no longer in the ATM, so you would not have any reason to worry about his gaining access to your account.

This happens all the time around here. The bank is closed and you get cash in the vestibule of the bank at the ATM. I have given access on my card to people who have issues with getting the door to open. Not everyone has the same level of dexterity.
WOW! I would never do that. How about if he/she performed some criminal activity and you could be held accountable?? No way would I have done that!

@kaydee50

Why would you think you could possibly be "held accountable" for some strangers actions? What would the charge be? Politely holding the door? Is politeness now a crime in your state?
@Tinkrbl44 When did bypassing security measures become about not being polite? If a thief comes in and installs a skimmer, that has nothing to do with "polite." You might not go to jail but because of you a lot of harm would have been done.

@Sooner

You're assuming he was a thief with a skimmer? Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
Anyone who is making questionable actions near a bank ATM will have their actions recorded from many angles on many cameras. Everyone knows that.

@Tinkrbl44 Yes. I am assuming he was not supposed to have been in there or his card would have opened it. If his card is broke he needs to haul his behind down to the bank and get it fixed.

His responsibility to have a working card, mine not to let a crook in to mess with my ATM or with another legit bank customer.

We all have a responsibility to look out for others who are not criminals. I have no problem whatsoever with locking him out.

Mj12 · ‎03-09-2010

@chiclets wrote:
@sunshine45

I was speaking in general terms.

Some robberies will occur in the foyer of a ATM area.

Some robberies even occur it a ATM drive-up. The car leaving the ATM goes, and the next car pulls up to the ATM, meanwhile another car pulls up behind that car, and the first car stops, the individual at the ATM is now robbed, he is trapped between the cars.
Sounds ridiculous, not common, but it does happen.

Again, I am talking in general terms and that may explain my comments about the subject to you.

You are a person who is considerate and helpful towards others, a good person. Some people are not good.

I am always alert when I occasionally use a drive up ATM - but TBH I never thought about the car-blocking scenario - I only thought about a criminal hiding in the bushes or around the bank corner then running to my window to try to rob me. So thank you for this, I'll be extra aware if I use a drive-up ATM again.

Johnnyeager · ‎09-05-2014

I've had need of some cash quickly on the weekend and went to the nearest bank, a branch belonging to a bank that is not mine.

The configuration of the card key differs from bank to bank, location to location and I've spent minutes trying to figure it out and align it properly.

In Manhattan, all of these ATMs have locked doors. on weekends and off hours. I would most surely hold the door open for someone having similar difficulty, and would appreciate it, should someone do the same for me.

Note: Before I go into one of these locked areas, I look to see what's going on. Unfortunately, in NYC these areas have become make shift shelters for the homeless. who, depending upon the weather, may spend the weekend inside. You decide what you would do in those circumstances.

silkyk · ‎03-03-2011

I think if you see someone doing or trying to do something shady you sure don't want to help. What if the OP let him in and he mugged the next person coming along? Feel guilty? I once was returning library books at night (lucky DH was waiting in car) and right by the return slot there is a planter box a little ways away from the building and there was some guy hunkered down hiding there in the gap....a perfect spot to mug someone not paying attention while putting your books in the return slot! I gave him the ole hairy eyeball (with DH as my great backup) and told the librarian the next time I was there and warned them about that planter and it's horrible placement but they haven't changed it yet and I expect to read in the paper that someone was mugged while returning books at night. I won't feel guilty bacause I spoke up and complained and warned them.

Johnnyeager · ‎09-05-2014

I guess I'm a little confused.

I didn't get the impression that the guy in the OP's description was doing anything "shady". It seems he was trying to get in using a card and was having problems with it. Doesn't seem unusual or "shady" to me at all. As I've noted, the card needs to be aligned properly to activate the door so I assume that was the issue.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Johnnyeager wrote:
I guess I'm a little confused.

I didn't get the impression that the guy in the OP's description was doing anything "shady". It seems he was trying to get in using a card and was having problems with it. Doesn't seem unusual or "shady" to me at all. As I've noted, the card needs to be aligned properly to activate the door so I assume that was the issue.

@Johnnyeager

No, he wasn't doing anything shady, according to the OP. Magnetic card strips malfunction occasionally .... at least mine do, sometimes, and I'd had no "shady" intentions. Of course, some people will automatically think the worst, regardless of circumstances. Or maybe they just enjoy being so self-righteous.

silkyk · ‎03-03-2011

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Johnnyeager wrote:
I guess I'm a little confused.

I didn't get the impression that the guy in the OP's description was doing anything "shady". It seems he was trying to get in using a card and was having problems with it. Doesn't seem unusual or "shady" to me at all. As I've noted, the card needs to be aligned properly to activate the door so I assume that was the issue.
@Johnnyeager

No, he wasn't doing anything shady, according to the OP. Magnetic card strips malfunction occasionally .... at least mine do, sometimes, and I'd had no "shady" intentions. Of course, some people will automatically think the worst, regardless of circumstances. Or maybe they just enjoy being so self-righteous.

Or perhaps they have been a victim of a crime or had a loved one become one. Once bitten twice learned. To walk around with rose colored glasses on is foolish today. Keep your peepers open and if you see something say something. Not self-righteous....self aware.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

@silkyk wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Johnnyeager wrote:
I guess I'm a little confused.

I didn't get the impression that the guy in the OP's description was doing anything "shady". It seems he was trying to get in using a card and was having problems with it. Doesn't seem unusual or "shady" to me at all. As I've noted, the card needs to be aligned properly to activate the door so I assume that was the issue.
@Johnnyeager

No, he wasn't doing anything shady, according to the OP. Magnetic card strips malfunction occasionally .... at least mine do, sometimes, and I'd had no "shady" intentions. Of course, some people will automatically think the worst, regardless of circumstances. Or maybe they just enjoy being so self-righteous.
Or perhaps they have been a victim of a crime or had a loved one become one. Once bitten twice learned. To walk around with rose colored glasses on is foolish today. Keep your peepers open and if you see something say something. Not self-righteous....self aware.

@silkyk

you mean she should have called 911 when she saw someone having difficulties with their magnetic strip?

********************************************
"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Johnnyeager · ‎09-05-2014

He probably had the darn card upside down or backwards.

mamaslittlepotato · ‎03-09-2010

@kaydee50 I think u did the right thing, even though it was an awkward situation and u felt bad. At my bank u just slip the card in the slot horizontally, the door unlocks and then u pull the card out. If this guys card wouldn’t work, then most likely it wouldn’t work in the ATM machine either. He could’ve easily gone somewhere else and tried another machine, although it probably still wouldn’t work.

I’m not a scaredy cat and I like to help people, but in this case it was better to be cautious. Anything could happen anywhere to anyone. He could’ve gained access and hid in a corner until the next person came in, and then robbed them, or worse. Remember how Ted Bundy played on women’s kindness with his fake arm sling, etc.? An extreme example, but u never know.