Once I had an ATM dispense the money to me but for whatever reason I was momentarily distracted when it came out… and before I could grab it the machine sucked it back in. I went and checked online and sure enough, it had still debited my account. I called the banks (the one that owned the ATM and the one who I had an account with that I was trying to draw from) and told them what happened. They credited my money back since presumably the machine would discover that it had more money in it than its books said it had dispensed. Still freaked me out though.
I have collected money due to a bank error in my favor, although it was only Monopoly money.
I once had an ATM stuff up a withdrawal. It was during my lunch break so I was able to go inside and get it sorted out. It took quite a while and involved me giving back the incorrect amount I had received and waiting around while they checked things and did stuff but they fixed it up.
Another time I was in a club and two guys were using an ATM and I was waiting behind them. One guy withdrew some money, the machine spat it out but he was busy talking to his friend and didn’t grab it. As he went to take it the ATM sucked it back in. He had no luck getting money because he had to wait to sort it out with the bank that owned the ATM.
I once came up to an ATM to use it and it said “How much cash do you want?” instead of “Please insert your card”. So naturally I hit the largest amount available. I giggled delightedly as it spat out several hundred pounds.
But immediately afterwards it ejected a card which said “MISS MICHELLE SMITH”. Suddenly my amusement at getting free money from a faceless institution turned into a guilty realisation of theft from an individual.
So I went into the bank and handed over the card and the money with some lame excuse about the cash being there when I got there. I hope they gave it back to her.
Back in the mid 80s, when I was a struggling undergrad, the ATM at the university credit union had a hiccup and repeated a withdrawal request 8 times, but only giving me cash for the first. That, of course, resulted in a negative account balance. However, they figured it out pretty quickly & deleted the repeated transaction before any checks bounced.
The only unusual thing that has happened to me at an ATM is that the cash literally shot out of the dispenser one time. As in, several twenties flew out and actually made contact with my belly button before dropping to the ground. I had to run around and pick them up before the wind blew them away.
“Ptui! Here’s your stinkin’ money!”
I’ve had an ATM steal $300 from me earlier this year. I drove up hit the buttons to withdraw the $300 the little door where the money comes out opened for a couple of seconds and then closed. The receipt showed that my account had been deducted $300. The bank wasn’t open yet so I went home and waited. I went back when they opened and told them what happened and they gave me a number to call. So I went home and called and talked to several people. They then faxed some paperwork to the branch and I went back to the bank to sign the paperwork. After I signed the papers the branch faxed them back. The manager said they should deposit the $300 back into my account once everything was approved. It took about three weeks but they did deposit, or credit, the money back into my account. I was late on a couple of bills because of that fiasco.
Never had a problem either way with one.
In fact, my husband and I found them extremely helpful and a money saver when we went to Italy in the ‘90s. It was a trip with his side of the family, and his parents always brought travelers’ checks and some cash, and would have to look around for a bank or “reasonable” money changer. We used the ATM and always had the best exchange rate, plus our bank didn’t charge us any extra fees. (These days we’d probably get slapped with a $2 out-of-network fee from Chase, but that might still be worth it.)
I guess this has changed, but…
Years ago, if an ATM dispensed cash but the customer failed to take it from the dispenser, the machine would time out, the dispenser would close, and the machine would shut down. No one else would be able to use the machine until a technician came and fixed it. This was a situation that I didn’t mind, as I’d make $25 to show up and fix it. I can’t remember what the fix was, though. I think I just put the money back into the tray.
I haven’t gotten an incorrect amount of cash, but I was running my mouth when the ATM spit my card out, and after 10 seconds or so it sucked it back in. Safety feature I’m sure. There was no way to get it back except go into the bank the next day, I think they issued me a new one IIRC.
Once a long time ago I was shorted $20. I didn’t think to go in to the bank and try to straighten it out.
Once I had an ATM eat my card. Thing was, it wasn’t my bank. I use a Credit Union, and they recently closed the offices and just use electronic banking. If you have any actual bank needs, you can use another Credit Union - there’s an agreement in place. (Any checks I need cashed I go there.)
The ATM was on the fritz, took my card, then gave me an error message and kept my card. I went to the bank, they said they couldn’t do anything because I wasn’t their customer. I mean, they could get a technician out to empty the machine that night, but because it wasn’t a Washinton Mutual ATM card they couldn’t give it back to me.
Worst part - I was going on a trip that weekend - 4 day vacation trip. I had my Credit Cards, but not cash. I guess I could have gotten a cash advance - never done that before. Anyway, my CU sent me a new card promptly, but didn’t arrive until I returned.
My CU also does not charge a fee and refunds other ATM fees.
Since I’ve never met an ATM that can pass the Turing Test, I don’t use them. It’s a personal requirement.
No teller has ever shorted me. Most could pass a Turing Test and are more conversational than Eliza.