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Losing money to an ATM can be frustrating and stressful. If the ATM took your money due to a technical issue, you may be able to get a refund from the ATM operator or your bank.
You have 30 days to contact the ATM operator or your bank to report the issue, as stated in the ATM operator's contract. This is a crucial time frame to act quickly.
To increase your chances of getting your money back, keep a record of the ATM's location, the date and time of the transaction, and the amount of money taken. This information can be used to dispute the transaction.
If you're unable to get a refund from the ATM operator or your bank, you may want to consider filing a complaint with your bank's customer service department.
What to Do
If an ATM eats your deposit, contact your bank immediately. This will spur an examination of the incident, as Murray Bullard did when she refused to move until she spoke to a live person at her bank.
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The bank will investigate and may credit your account, as happened with Murray Bullard. Your bank will also look into the situation and may warn you that they will investigate all deposits made that day.
You should act fast to improve your chances of getting the issue corrected, as Shane Allen did when he contacted his bank a few months ago. He found that his bank credited his account for the time being and warned him that they would investigate all deposits that day.
Your bank may also credit your account for any account fees incurred due to the ATM error, as Kristopher Dahl, a spokesman for Wells Fargo, says. This is because all transactions are logged, and the bank utilizes its logs to research these transactions.
If you let the ATM owner know immediately, it will make it more likely that the company can trace the error, as Feddis says.
Understand the Issue
If an ATM eats your deposit, it's essential to act quickly. Note the time of the transaction and gather evidence, as Gilbert recommends taking smartphone pictures of the error screen on the ATM if one comes up.
The more evidence you can gather, the better, especially if you need to prove the amount you deposited. It's also a good idea to copy the serial numbers on bills before inserting currency into a machine.
Contact your bank immediately to report the issue, as Allen did when the ATM took his cash. Your bank will likely perform an investigation to verify the transaction, and they may credit your account for any fees incurred during the process.
Document Transaction Details
Note the time of the transaction, it's crucial for gathering evidence in case something goes awry. Gilbert, a Los Angeles-based musician, learned this the hard way when her bank froze her funds due to suspected potential fraud.
Taking smartphone pictures of the error screen on the ATM can be a lifesaver if a botched transaction occurs. Gilbert recommends doing this to have a record of the issue.
Copy the serial numbers on bills before inserting currency into a machine, it's a simple step that can provide valuable evidence.
Bank Investigation Confirmation
If an ATM eats your deposit, contact your bank immediately, says Kristopher Dahl, a spokesman for Wells Fargo. This will spur an examination of the incident.
The bank will usually credit you for the deposit and perform an investigation, as seen in Allen's case where his bank credited his account for the time being.
A month later, Allen received a letter in the mail saying the bank had completed its investigation and determined that he had, in fact, deposited $800.
Your bank can correct the situation on the spot, crediting the deposit to your account and issuing you a paper receipt verifying the funds, if you're standing outside your own bank when this happens.
The time it takes for this to happen will vary depending on your bank, but it's essential to act quickly to resolve the issue.
Note the time of the transaction, gather evidence, and copy the serial numbers on bills before inserting currency into a machine, as recommended by Gilbert, a Los Angeles-based musician who recently tried depositing a check worth about $1,000.
The more evidence you can gather, the better, as it will help your bank in their investigation.
Human Error Mistakes
Mistakes from ATMs are often caused by human error. Poor maintenance practices can lead to ATM foul-ups, says James Trocme, senior director of market research and knowledge management at Diebold.
Rogue ATMs do exist, but mistakes can usually be traced back to human error. Diebold, a leading maker of ATMs, doesn't keep records of mistakes, but they agree that human error is the main culprit.
You should always get a printed receipt from the ATM. This receipt contains important information like the transaction date and time, and the machine identifier, says Nessa Feddis, senior counsel for American Bankers Association.
Count your money carefully when using an ATM. It's possible that a video record of the transaction could be used to confirm how many bills you count out, says Prendergast.
Sources
- https://www.lovemoney.com/news/73170/atm-swallowed-card-cash-machine-problem-help-bank
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/what-to-do-if-atm-eats-deposit
- https://www.wisebread.com/the-atm-just-ate-your-deposit-now-what
- https://dangingiss.com/atm/
- https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/what-to-do-when-an-atm-makes-a-money-mistake
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