ATMs and Situational Awareness - please share
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jimbo555
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I live too but I can't think of a situation that would cause me to go to an atm at 3a.m. If you have to get cash for something it can certainly wait till the light of day.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Remember...just because you can't think of any such situation at the moment does not mean that such a situation will never come about.
Certainly we can plan our routine lives this way as a matter of course in a variety of ways.
I often work some pretty off the wall hours, for example, which means there are times when getting to a bank during normal working hours, or an ATM during daylight hours, simply isn't going to happen for extended periods of time. If I need cash, especially significant amounts (more than the "Cash Back" option might offer at a late night store, for example), then I'm necessarily limited to night time hours.
I just have to take that into account and plan for it when it happens.
Certainly we can plan our routine lives this way as a matter of course in a variety of ways.
I often work some pretty off the wall hours, for example, which means there are times when getting to a bank during normal working hours, or an ATM during daylight hours, simply isn't going to happen for extended periods of time. If I need cash, especially significant amounts (more than the "Cash Back" option might offer at a late night store, for example), then I'm necessarily limited to night time hours.
I just have to take that into account and plan for it when it happens.
jimbo555
Member
I disagree. I go through my daily life just fine using a debit card or credit card. Cash is not necessary in my life. Going to an atm at 3a.m. is looking for trouble. Stupid idea in my book.
X-Rap
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An ATM after dark draws no fewer dirtbags than a beer joint but i'm thinking that most of those saying that life happens would certainly advise all who wanted to stay out of trouble and avoid possible peril in late night visits to honky tonks and strip clubs to stay away.
Walmart allows $100 withdrawals from debit cards and anyone who has a place safe enough to secure a gun has a place to keep a couple hundred dollars or the days deposits.
Walmart allows $100 withdrawals from debit cards and anyone who has a place safe enough to secure a gun has a place to keep a couple hundred dollars or the days deposits.
Phaedrus/69
Member
I think Mas Ayoob also advises one to avoid ATMs in the wee hours of the morning...but what does that guy know?
earlthegoat2
Member
It is good general advice but not everyone can abide by it.
I have to go to the Post Office APC at 5 am before work because it is more convenient for me. Post office is a no gun zone too so I guess I am really asking for it.
I COULD go some other time but I would rather deal with the unlikely armed confrontation than the crowds of people that would be there any other time I could go there.
It is a calculated risk. As in I calculated it would affect my bottom dollar more to deal with crowds.
I have to go to the Post Office APC at 5 am before work because it is more convenient for me. Post office is a no gun zone too so I guess I am really asking for it.
I COULD go some other time but I would rather deal with the unlikely armed confrontation than the crowds of people that would be there any other time I could go there.
It is a calculated risk. As in I calculated it would affect my bottom dollar more to deal with crowds.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
I'm another one who does not carry any cash for weeks at a time and use only cards...I do this to minimize time at ATMs and where cash is dispensed. I work for a company that loads those ATMs and also spent a lot of time out and about in the wee hours as I was a pro musician for many years. Bad stuff happens at Oh Dark Thirty. Ever, never let your guard down as the BG's swarm in these places at this time of the day.
That said I'm happy she's OK....very bad situation being unarmed and forced to get in the trunk, lay prone, go to the back room, etc as statistically one's odd of survival dwindle in these situations.
Lot's of good advice in this thread and well said MedWheeler.
VooDoo
That said I'm happy she's OK....very bad situation being unarmed and forced to get in the trunk, lay prone, go to the back room, etc as statistically one's odd of survival dwindle in these situations.
Lot's of good advice in this thread and well said MedWheeler.
VooDoo
Nom de Forum
Member
How to avoid attack at the ATM
Sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck.
Any other checks you receive should be either deposited using your iPhone or held for deposit inside a bank or at an ATM inside a grocery.
Need cash? Use a inside the grocery ATM or make a purchase and request cash back.
If your lifestyle makes it impossible to do the above, change your lifestyle.
If you cannot change your lifestyle, plan your life so all visits to the ATM are during the day in areas with many people around. The only thing you need to know about the need for situational awareness at an ATM is that it is the same as at anyplace where you are isolated and likely to have cash. Your best effort at protective situational awareness is to be aware you should avoid these situations.
Sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck.
Any other checks you receive should be either deposited using your iPhone or held for deposit inside a bank or at an ATM inside a grocery.
Need cash? Use a inside the grocery ATM or make a purchase and request cash back.
If your lifestyle makes it impossible to do the above, change your lifestyle.
If you cannot change your lifestyle, plan your life so all visits to the ATM are during the day in areas with many people around. The only thing you need to know about the need for situational awareness at an ATM is that it is the same as at anyplace where you are isolated and likely to have cash. Your best effort at protective situational awareness is to be aware you should avoid these situations.
earlthegoat2
Member
In the 70s the NYPD did a study and found that their own TRAINED officers miss 90% of the time at ranges over 10 feet in actual gunfights.
Yeah, I think the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor. I don't think training has progressed so much in the last 30 years to significantly affect this. Even so, more recently, around 2008, RAND did a study and found this same NYPD missed 78% of the time. Once again, we are talking about trained gun carriers.
Yeah, I think the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor. I don't think training has progressed so much in the last 30 years to significantly affect this. Even so, more recently, around 2008, RAND did a study and found this same NYPD missed 78% of the time. Once again, we are talking about trained gun carriers.
jimbo555
Member
I activate my debit card by phone.
Nom de Forum
Member
Are you sure in fine print it did not mention telephoning to activate? All my cards have that option for activation.
Deaf Smith
Member
The police habitually have to react to an unexpected attack, hence the poor hit rates.
But when one initiates the attack hit rates go up as shown by the NYPD Stakeout Squad.
Deaf
Rules for ATMs
Do not get boxed in. Wait until the car in front of you has cleared the lane before pulling in.
Do not take the car out of drive during the transaction. If things start to go wrong, get moving.
Be ready to take care of your transaction when you pull up. The longer you take to complete your transaction the more vulnerable you are. Have your card out and ready before you stop. Drive off as soon as you have your receipt/money. You can stop somewhere else to put things away. From the time you hit the brake in front of the machine until you are moving again should be only a few seconds.
Maintain awareness of your surroundings. Don't put yourself into a bad situation and keep an eye out so you can leave if you become suspicious.
Do not get boxed in. Wait until the car in front of you has cleared the lane before pulling in.
Do not take the car out of drive during the transaction. If things start to go wrong, get moving.
Be ready to take care of your transaction when you pull up. The longer you take to complete your transaction the more vulnerable you are. Have your card out and ready before you stop. Drive off as soon as you have your receipt/money. You can stop somewhere else to put things away. From the time you hit the brake in front of the machine until you are moving again should be only a few seconds.
Maintain awareness of your surroundings. Don't put yourself into a bad situation and keep an eye out so you can leave if you become suspicious.
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