Non-bank ATM's

[winneythepooh7]

I meant to post this last week but with the chaos going on in my life, I forgot. Anyways, this was all over the news here in NYC last week. DO NOT USE NON-BANK ATM's!!! Apparently ANYONE can rent them for like $75 a month. They can set one up in a local store or business, get all your info, and then move the machine the next month so you'll never know how you were scammed/be able to go back and prove it was that ATM owner. I think this is especially important here in NYC cuz like every deli and bodega has one of these. I've been lazy sometimes to just go to my bank/a bank to take out cash. It's interesting too cuz even McDonald's have ATM's in them now, I wonder who they belong to!

[mishl982]

Ew I hate going anyplace that's not my bank to use the ATM. Service fees are enough to scare me away, lol. Although I have discovered the art of using stores like Target, Walmart or the grocery stores to get cash out when I'm not near my bank. It's like paying the service fee except you actually get something in place of a "fee" like orange juice or bananas.

Thanks for the warning though!

[SunDevil]

I refuse to pay any ATM fees. I have always used grocery stores to get cash back if I really need it.

[internut33]

i just use my ATM check card now like its going out of style... Screw carrying cash if ya dont have to.

[Deadend]

I just try to use my visa for everything. That way not liable if it fucks up.

This ATM scam just sounds like yet another area where the government chooses not to assemble some basic consumer protection legislation. Too busy cracking down on plastic knives in airports and ranting about abortion down there I guess.

Europe really is way ahead of both the US and Canada in terms of consumer protection. A few months ago my Mom had $500 stolen out of her atm card. Of course, the bank is putting up the paper wall with regards to the card agreement that says she's liable. Talking to my Dad about the situation - appherently banks are not allowed to do that in the UK. Because it's there machines, they have to have as much interest as possible in good security, not pass off the risk to the customer.

[winneythepooh7]

Wouldn't one still be responsible here in the US though if they used their credit card for a cash advance and the thieves got all their info?

[labrat2111]

I heard about that on a new story a few months ago. I tend to use my credit card mostly but when I do get cash there are enough of my bank's branches locally (and one across the street) to get easy cash. Plus I wouldn't want to use another non-bank ATM just because of the fees!!!

[winneythepooh7]

Those of you who use your credit cards for cash though, isn't that mad expensive? I mean with all the interest fees for cash advances?

[labrat2111]

Those of you who use your credit cards for cash though, isn't that mad expensive? I mean with all the interest fees for cash advances?

Well I don't do the cash advance thing. I either get cash out of my bank's ATM or used my credit card to pay. I would use my check card but I know I'd forget to subtract the transactions so it's easier to pay with the credit card for everything and write one check at the end of the month.

I think you are only liable up to $50 for a credit card provided you report the problem promptly.

[biodork]

I refuse to pay any ATM fees. I have always used grocery stores to get cash back if I really need it.

I thought this was a great idea except that I found out my bank still charges me for it. :(

[Bugsey34]

How did I miss this story? I use the ATMs in delis & bodegas... it's stupid anyway because of the fees, I usually do it on emergency basis.

Even though I think this scam would only work if the deli/bodega had someone there that could program the ATM to steal this info, because I work at a restaurant and we always get mailings telling us to get one of those machines, it brings in thousands of extra cash, etc. (But we are a white tablecloth restaurant, so I doubt our designer would approve an ATM in the middle of the floor :rolleyes:) So they are easy to get, from many companies. I guess once they have it they could play around with it though. I will stop using them though just in case!

[coll214]

that's frightening... I try to only use the ATMs at my bank or take out the cash at a store, but well sometimes you just forget... But definitely no more convenience store ATMs for me!

[MetFanL]

I've never seen an ATM w/o a sh*tload of bank stickers on it. What counts as "non-bank"?

[mishl982]

I've never seen an ATM w/o a sh*tload of bank stickers on it. What counts as "non-bank"?
Well my bank is Bank of America, so I consider any atm not BoA a non-bank. Like if I went to Suntrust or Chevy Chase, that's non-bank, at least to me, since they charge me a service fee for taking out money. Target and Walmart are obviously not banks either.

[MetFanL]

Right, but aren't those machines affiliated w/ a bank? Or, don't they all have those MAC stickers or whatever on them? I thought they all were affiliated w/ some bank, even if it isn't yours...

[mishl982]

Heh, yea I don't know what the deal with those are. I usually don't trust random ATMs in convenience stores and delis. Even bars.

[analogman]

Minor clarification: I think the OP was referring to non-bank-owned ATMs. Yes, those are potential sources of scams and should be avoided at all costs. One can use an ATM owned by a different bank, but then are liable for transaction fees from BOTH banks (this can add up to around 3 bucks), so I personally avoid them as well.

I have an account at a big bank so I have easy access to cash. Most of my money is parked at a different institution which offers much better interest rates. Best of both worlds, sort of (have moving money occasionally, not terribly convenient)

PS: Good job to OP for brining this up. Very good information for people to know :)

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah I was talking about ATM's at like delis and bodegas and places like the local gas station or 7-11. Plus there is a line in the broadway show "Rent" where Collins sings how he reprogrammed an ATM in a grocery store to give him cash and the password was Angel, his dead lover.

[tartytwenty]

Target and Walmart are obviously not banks either.


My bank that holds my checking and savings accoutns, has an ATM in our Target. It's convenient and fee-less...and my bank!

So sometimes banks do put ATMs in stores.