How Secure is Your ATM?

Author Justin Gilmore

When you own an ATM, security should be one of your top priorities. With so much money inside the machine, crooks and thieves are looking for ways to break into the machine and take everything inside. Other types of criminals are looking for ways to steal pin numbers and account information for people using the machine. Meanwhile, trying to rob people while they’re using an ATM or immediately afterward is also a common crime, but one that can be prevented by taking proper steps to secure the machine.

For instance, most ATMs nowadays have security cameras nearby that monitor everything that happens to the machine. Typically, this will deter any kind of criminal effort to steal from someone using the machine or tamper with the machine in any way. If the threat of being on camera doesn’t stop a criminal, everything they do will be captured on camera so the authorities will be able to track them down.

It’s also helpful that most ATMs are placed in well-lit locations, in addition to being in high-traffic areas. If an area doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic after the sun goes down or doesn’t have a light nearby, it’s typically less secure for the people using it. Placing an ATM around a corner can also be problematic, as it makes it more difficult for users to be aware of their surroundings, especially if they’re using it late at night. Fortunately, most ATM owners are careful about where they place their ATMs.

Another potential threat to ATMs is people breaking into the machines themselves to steal the piles of cash inside. Again, having security cameras can help to mitigate the risk of this happening. However, newer ATMs tend to have harder cases that are more difficult to break into. There are also detection devices that can be put into ATMs that trigger alarms if the machine is broken. This has become a common security measure in many of the newer ATMs.

Fortunately, most of the companies that build, sell, and monitor ATMs are ahead of the curve when it comes to preventing theft from the ATM itself or people using the machine. Most of the newer machines have the latest security technology to prevent theft of all kinds, which is another reason to look into buying newer ATMs. Regardless, security should always be a top priority for any ATM owner.

Contact National ATM Wholesale today to learn more about how to keep your ATM secure.