ATM spits out $20 bills instead of $5 bills.

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Q

Lifer
Jul 21, 2005
12,059
4
81
This was on the news a long time ago. I forget how, but you can (or used to) be able to trick the machine using a code that was in the manual.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,806
46
91
Originally posted by: BoomerD
I've never seen an ATM that gave out anything but $20 bills...

I've seen one, and only one, that gave out 10s (normally), but its always 20s.

also, apparently my bank used to randomly throw in a few 50s into the ATM machine, but this was done on purpose.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,924
45
91
At least they only made off with $7000. There was a story recently where a slot machine in Vegas credited you $10 for every $1 you put in, and two dozen people made off with something like $500k :Q
 

Lash444

Golden Member
Sep 17, 2002
1,708
63
91
I've seen a $5 ATM machine. It's at the 8-ball in Ann Arbor. Go there, and you won't ask why the ATM machine spits out $5 instead of $20. $4.75 pitchers of Old Style everyday baby.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,089
12
76
fobot.com
you can't steal just because they messed up
they have cameras and accounting checks/balances

there is no free lunch, get over it
 

cougar78

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2004
2,461
0
86
www.forthinc.com
I worked for a banking software company, I installed the the servers that drove atm machines. I can tell you that, it all depends on the bank or credit union on what kind of bills are dispensed. A lot of places do only 20's but there are tons that do 20's and 10's and bit smaller number doing 20's and 5's. Hell I have even done a install at a bank that dispensed 100's and 20's.

I'm curious how these people that claim to "reprogram" the atms, how did they get access to them? For instance, this atm that was in the news, there is no way someone pryed it open and "reprogrammed" with a store full of people.

Majority of atms can't be "reprogrammed" at the atm level to see one denomination as another without the computer at the bank's facility changed to reflect that. Usually, the atms that could be set differently, such as setting the denominations at the atm itself are in gas station/mini mart like stores so they wouldn't be able to tamper with the machine without someone seeing them.
 

Dessert Tears

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2005
1,100
0
76
Annette Parker, a supervisor at Eagle's Truck Stop, said she unplugged the machine after overhearing conversations about the excess payments.
There is a possibility that the ATM is not owned/operated by a bank. It's probably owned by either an ATM company that collects fees on each transaction or the truck stop itself.
 

nineball9

Senior member
Aug 10, 2003
789
0
76
The BayBank network of ATM's in metro Boston used to give out 10's and 20's. After numerous mergers, they eventually became part of Bank Of America. Dunno what the current ATM's dispense.

Years ago, one of the machines gave me a extra $20. I called the bank when I got home to inform them of the machine's mistake - not because I feared getting caught, but simply because it was the right thing to do. The extra $20 was not mine.
 

DangerAardvark

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2004
7,581
0
0
Originally posted by: mugs
At least they only made off with $7000. There was a story recently where a slot machine in Vegas credited you $10 for every $1 you put in, and two dozen people made off with something like $500k :Q

Good. Casino owners are scumbags.

Anyway, if you get 15 extra dollars from an ATM how the hell are you supposed to give it back?

"Yes, this specific ATM machine gave me 15 extra dollars in addition to the 5 dollars I requested, would you please give me change for this 20, and my original 5, which BTW I just freaking spent on gas going out my way to return FREAKING 15 DOLLARS."

What are they supposed to go to the police station and hope they have change?

Are they supposed to leave the 20 under a rock next to the machine?
 

biggestmuff

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2001
8,201
2
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Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Originally posted by: mugs
At least they only made off with $7000. There was a story recently where a slot machine in Vegas credited you $10 for every $1 you put in, and two dozen people made off with something like $500k :Q

Good. Casino owners are scumbags.

Anyway, if you get 15 extra dollars from an ATM how the hell are you supposed to give it back?

"Yes, this specific ATM machine gave me 15 extra dollars in addition to the 5 dollars I requested, would you please give me change for this 20, and my original 5, which BTW I just freaking spent on gas going out my way to return FREAKING 15 DOLLARS."

What are they supposed to go to the police station and hope they have change?

Are they supposed to leave the 20 under a rock next to the machine?

Are you serious. Ever heard of an after hours deposit box? What about walking into the bank and speaking to someone.

I don't understand how some of you people get through the day.
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Originally posted by: BoomerD
I've never seen an ATM that gave out anything but $20 bills...

There are a couple around here that spit out $10's but I've never seen one that does $5's either.

They have them around here that do 5's and 20's. Very handy to get some smaller bills in your wallet.
 

DangerAardvark

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2004
7,581
0
0
Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Originally posted by: mugs
At least they only made off with $7000. There was a story recently where a slot machine in Vegas credited you $10 for every $1 you put in, and two dozen people made off with something like $500k :Q

Good. Casino owners are scumbags.

Anyway, if you get 15 extra dollars from an ATM how the hell are you supposed to give it back?

"Yes, this specific ATM machine gave me 15 extra dollars in addition to the 5 dollars I requested, would you please give me change for this 20, and my original 5, which BTW I just freaking spent on gas going out my way to return FREAKING 15 DOLLARS."

What are they supposed to go to the police station and hope they have change?

Are they supposed to leave the 20 under a rock next to the machine?

Are you serious. Ever heard of an after hours deposit box? What about walking into the bank and speaking to someone.

I don't understand how some of you people get through the day.

Tardface, I already addressed that and pointed out how actually returning the money completely negates the point of withdrawing 5 dollars in the first place.
 

smack Down

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2005
4,507
0
0
Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
Originally posted by: mugs
At least they only made off with $7000. There was a story recently where a slot machine in Vegas credited you $10 for every $1 you put in, and two dozen people made off with something like $500k :Q

Good. Casino owners are scumbags.

Anyway, if you get 15 extra dollars from an ATM how the hell are you supposed to give it back?

"Yes, this specific ATM machine gave me 15 extra dollars in addition to the 5 dollars I requested, would you please give me change for this 20, and my original 5, which BTW I just freaking spent on gas going out my way to return FREAKING 15 DOLLARS."

What are they supposed to go to the police station and hope they have change?

Are they supposed to leave the 20 under a rock next to the machine?

In the case of the machine giving out extra 20's leaving them on the machine would complete their legal obligation to the bank to not take the money. If someone else takes the money it is not your problem.
 

Jeffwo

Platinum Member
Mar 2, 2001
2,759
0
76
At an ATM you are standing before a video camera.

Taking $20s that are supposed to be $5s and not returning the overage is wrong and you can expect to be held accountable for the difference.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,981
3,318
126
Originally posted by: moshquerade
Originally posted by: BoomerD
I've never seen an ATM that gave out anything but $20 bills...

same here.

also, these people are toast. they'll easily know who they are.

Exactly and they wont be able to kep the extra money!!
Trust me!!
 

oogabooga

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2003
7,806
3
81
I think it sucks for the people who just used the machine and happened to get some more money out of it.

it sounds like there is someone who 1) used the machine then 2) after they unplugged the machine, plugged it back in and used it again. for that guy, he probably ruined it for the rest of us... i mean.. bastard
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,967
19
81
Originally posted by: blurredvision

As far as the bolded statement goes, how? I can't even understand why they are required to pay it back, unless a person knowingly went back time after time, knowing about this glitch.

Oh well, I'm sure people will disagree with me, but IMO, it should be the responsibility of the bank to properly maintain the ATM, and it should be their responsibility to make sure it could not be tampered with, and before I run out of breath, it should be their responsibility to monitor the ATM.

EDIT: Corrected the bolding of my entire post.

It is their responsibility. As a customer, it's also your's to report problems with the equipment.

Most accounts when you signed up for them have disclaimers stating overpaid checks, withdrawls, deposits, etc are subject to adjustment later.

It's really no different IMHO if they just left the machine unlocked and people assumed it was ok to just take the money.

This problem is a reason many machines only stock one type of bill. There is no person to verify the pay out process. They could add a scanner that checks the bill on it coming out of the bin like a coin changer, but then you run into the problem of possibly not releasing funds at all.

I would much rather have an inaccurate withdrawl when I absolutely need the cash and have it adjusted later, than be told I can't have any money due to a technical difficulty.
 

Manuwell

Senior member
Jan 19, 2006
900
0
71
:confused:Who use ATM's ?

Cash back ftw ! (but I didnt know that there were places that give anything other than 10's and 20's as cash back)