Crime, Defensive Awareness and Walk-Up ATMs

3 min readNov 21, 2020

[Updated 3/2024]

ATMs are one of the worst inventions from a Situational Awareness standpoint.

ATMs force you to turn your focus completely away from what’s happening behind you.

So, while you’re busy trying to remember your PIN, or covering the keyboard so no one can see your PIN, or checking to see what your account balance is, anything could be happening behind you.

Including a thug preparing to attack you and take your money (or worse).

And that is why we need to be extremely careful when using an ATM.

Dark or Deserted ATMs

Avoid using any ATM after dark. Thugs like the dark. So try to plan ahead to make sure you have the cash you need before it gets dark.

Don’t use an ATM that is in a deserted location. Day or night. Predators can hide around corners or behind bushes and surprise you. And some of them don’t even bother to hide. They simply walk up behind you and attack (like in the video).

Before walking up to the ATM, take a few minutes to look around. Does anything seem “off”? Is someone hanging around the area? Is there a car nearby with someone inside? These could be signs of potential danger.

Some banks have vestibules that house their ATMs. If you use one, pull the door shut rather than letting it close on it’s own. A thief can grab the door before it closes behind you and walk in. Now you’re locked in with someone who wants to do you harm.

If possible, have someone go to the ATM with you. They can keep an eye out for trouble while you make your transaction.

Even busy areas are not completely safe.

Predators sometimes hang around busy ATMs watching for someone to withdraw money.

While the thugs may not be able to attack the target then and there, they will follow the person and attack them somewhere else.

Before withdrawing money from an ATM, walk past first and notice who is hanging around.

Come back a few minutes later and if the same people are there, do not use that ATM.

It’s also possible that a thief will simply grab your money and run. Or they might stand behind you to see what your pin is and then grab your card and run.

So be sure to hide your PIN from prying eyes. And take a few seconds to look around every so often. Keep your card and money close to you and immediately put them away when you’re done.

Remain Aware While Using the ATM

Have your card out and ready to use. When you’re searching through your purse or wallet, it’s difficult to be aware of your surroundings. Plus, it keeps you standing at the ATM longer. The idea is to finish your transaction and leave as quickly as possible.

The longer you linger, the higher your chances of being robbed.

Don’t focus solely on the ATM screen. Look around. All the way around. Be aware of what’s going on beside and behind you. And if you see someone approaching that makes you feel nervous or leery, cancel your transaction and leave.

Sometimes, just the fact that you are looking around and showing awareness of your surroundings will convince a predator to leave you alone. Since they like to work with the element of surprise, they’ll likely look for an easier target.

Put Your Phone Away

Don’t use your phone while at the ATM. Cell phones are attention vacuums. They suck up your awareness and make you oblivious to your surroundings.

Stay off your phone and pay attention to what’s going on. You’ll be safer.

Grab Your Money and Go

If you’re getting cash out, don’t count your money at the ATM. Instead, grab the money and your receipt, pocket them and leave. Again, the point is to finish your transaction and leave as soon as possible.

Remember, anytime you use an ATM, inside or outside of a building, awareness is the key to keeping you safer.

~Shereen

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