In which "swiping your card" can have two meanings. Sometimes both at once.

[captainsblog]

Jesus on a pogo stick. Any new technological product coming out should have a sign posted in front of it saying


The latest in ATM technology is the kind of machine that does not physically capture your card. Instead, you swipe it, like the gas station terminals do. Unlike the ones at gas stations, the transaction does not end when you put the pump back in the holder. So you can get your money, even your receipt, and drive off (you are hopefully at a drive-up machine when you do so) without closing out your transaction.

Meaning that the next guy in line behind you has access to your account, and your money.

I pulled up behind Kid-full-of-Volvo-addled Soccer Mom an hour or so ago, and after she scooted out, I was greeted by a screen saying,

"Would you like another transaction?"

Sadly, I looked at the screen and said, "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave." Rather, I honked my horn, pulled up alongside K-f-o-V-a-S-M and explained to her what she'd done (or rather, hadn't done), then drove all the way round the building a second time to actually claim my own cash.

I know, there are enough surveillance cams in one of those lanes to make even Dick Cheney happy, and that the spontaneous criminal would eventually get caught. (Might be hard proving intent, though, and you wouldn't have their account information, would you?) Still, it's hard sometimes being smarter than the average bear- especially when you have to spend your whole day surrounded by carnies like the one above.

Comments

[platypus]

Maybe it would have asked for PIN re-entry if you'd said yes to another transaction. I've seen some ATMs do that. Well, I can hope, anyway.

I'm getting annoyed with ATMs that beep when the cash comes out, rather than at the end when it might be useful to remind you to retrieve your card (if they're card-eating machines). I don't need to be reminded that I'm getting money. I'm expecting the money. I would not be there if not for the money. What I don't need is everyone in earshot being informed loudly that I am now holding a bunch of $20 bills.

[ceetar.livejournal.com]

And at least give us a couple of seconds to grab the cash before beeping please?

Yeah, I'm 99% sure it'd ask for a pin again before giving you her money.

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

Ok. Now I'm gonna have to experiment with this.

Not THAT way. By waiting a few seconds after a transaction and doing an inquiry or something to see if it PINs me.

[headbanger118.livejournal.com]

Shouldn't that fourth one on the "You must be..." list read as "Liberal"?

Seriously, that whole debacle must have been annoying as crap. That ATM is a dumb crook scenario waiting to happen.