Take with a pinch of salt messages like “Out of order” and “Out of service” outside bank ATMs, especially at night. A rise in ATM crime cases have prompted bankers to resort to such practices, especially in the sparsely populated areas, to avoid any untoward incident.
“We avoid filling cash in ATM machines during night in less populated areas as a precautionary measure,” said a banking official. Though banks have been looking at ways to enhance security at the ATM counters, none of the methods like installing CCTV cameras and posting armed guards have worked successfully.
It was in November last year, on the day when the country’s first women’s bank was inaugurated, that a bank official was attacked inside an ATM in Bangalore early in the morning.
“CCTV cameras are at the best post-incident facilitator. Having more and more armed guards may lead to more violent attacks at such points,” the official said.
Related report on Page 8
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