What to Do if an ATM Eats Your Deposit

If an ATM eats your deposit, it’s best to move quickly, document the details of the event, and contact your bank immediately. In general, when an ATM malfunctions (say, by taking your cash or check and miscalculating or failing to acknowledge your deposit), it’s wise to take action ASAP. Read on to learn the exact steps to take if an ATM eats your deposit or otherwise fails to process your transaction properly.

Reasons Why an ATM Might Not Accept Your Deposit

Here are some of the reasons why an ATM deposit might not get the money into your bank account, from cash-counting problems to electrical issues:

•   Misread your check amount. An ATM’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR software) may have read the handwritten or printed amount on your check incorrectly.

•   Miscounted the cash amount. If you deposited $800 in cash and the ATM only registers $600, there’s been a mistake.

•   Power outage. A sudden power outage can cause a technical glitch to occur during the transaction. The unfortunate timing can mean a real headache for you.

•   Deposits are too much. If you make a large cash deposit at an ATM, there may be a money-counting error that interferes with the deposit. If it does accept the money but credits a larger amount than what you inserted, know that you are legally obligated to report it, or face consequences down the line.

It’s worth noting that there are hundreds of thousands of ATMs in the United States, helping customers skip the line at a bank branch when making deposits and withdrawals and managing their bank accounts. But even machines make mistakes. While rare, you could potentially find yourself in a moment where an ATM took your money but did not deposit it.

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What to Do if the ATM Takes Your Money

If you’ve deposited money into a machine but it doesn’t indicate that it credited it to your account, you may feel as if the ATM took your money. There are actionable things you may do to help take control of the situation.

Here’s what to do if an ATM eats your deposit:

•   Don’t panic. The situation is likely fixable. The calmer you are, the better able you may be to calmly communicate the problem to a bank employee.

•   Note the time. When dealing with an ATM malfunction, time can be of the essence. Make note of the time of deposit. It can be wise to write it down.

•   Note the place. You’ll usually need to know the address/branch info of the ATM when you file a report, especially if you’re at a branch of your bank you don’t normally frequent or at a stand-alone ATM with no bank employee to help you.

•   Snapping a photo of any error message, whether it appears on the screen or on a printed receipt, can be a good idea. You may need to submit it as evidence.

•   Report the incident to an employee right away if possible. If you are at your bank branch, approach a customer service representative immediately.

•   Call your bank. If you are not at your bank, reach out to yours right away using the number on the back of your debit card. Or look on the ATM itself for a customer-service phone number for the machine’s owner.

•   Be patient. The situation may not be addressed immediately. Under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, your financial institution is obligated to investigate the ATM mishap within 10 days (45 days if the bank is willing to credit the missing fund amount). They are required to notify you in writing once the inquiry is resolved.

•   File a complaint. If you are struggling to get your funds back, you can contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). They may be able to help by contacting your bank to get a direct response and resolve the issue.

Remember: If an ATM took your money deposit, taking immediate action (whether in person, by phone, customer service chat, or email) can be a smart step.

Alternatives to an ATM for Depositing Checks

If you’d like to avoid the possibility of an ATM taking your money, there are alternative ways to deposit your funds, such as remote deposits.

•   Remote deposits. Most banks offer a mobile app that allows you to take a picture of your checks with your smartphone and deposit them without ever having to visit an ATM or bank branch in person.

•   Go to a teller. It might sound old-school, but for those who bank at traditional vs. online banks, you can hand your cash to a bank teller instead of a machine. Tellers can also perform other services, such as providing your balance so you don’t go over your withdrawal limits.

Recommended: How to Deposit a Check at an ATM, Mobile App, or Bank

Tips for Using an ATM Safely

You can take steps to help protect yourself when using an ATM and heighten the security of your transactions, such as being alert to your surroundings and whether the terminal has undergone any tampering.

•   Let the camera see your cash. If you are in a secure setting, try to count your money where the machine’s camera can catch it when depositing cash at an ATM. Having the recording can add to your evidence if an error occurs.

•   Get that receipt. Request and take the receipt from an ATM machine so you have a record of the transaction.

•   Ask for a check copy. Many ATMs can provide you with an image of your check on the printed receipt.

•   Use well-lit, well-trafficked ATMs. Making a withdrawal at an isolated, dimly-lit location can be riskier in terms of potential criminal activity than doing so at a brightly illuminated terminal where others are nearby.

•   Protect your card’s PIN. Be aware if anyone is trying to sneak a look at your details when using an ATM. Or you might consider making cardless ATM withdrawals via an app and QR code.

•   Look out for card skimmers. Some scammers are using card skimmers — small, plastic devices placed over a card scanner that can steal your debit card information. Double-check anywhere you might insert a card, including ATMs, grocery stores, and gas stations; if something looks off, head elsewhere.

The Takeaway

If an ATM accepts your cash or check without depositing your funds or registers an incorrect amount, it’s a good idea to gather evidence and report it to your bank immediately. Doing so will improve your chances of a quicker resolution and getting the money back where it belongs — in your account.

FAQ

What should you do if an ATM eats your deposit?

If an ATM eats your money without depositing the correct amount, smart moves include noting the time and location, getting a transaction receipt or photograph of any error messages, and contacting a customer service representative right away.

How often do ATMs eat deposits?

While there is no exact data on how often ATMs eat deposits, most of the billions of ATM transactions that occur in the U.S. each year happen without incident.

Is it possible to prevent an ATM from taking your money?

It is typically beyond your control to stop an ATM error (though they happen infrequently). The only way to completely avoid one would be to make remote deposits or visit a bank teller.

Photo credit: iStock/MIGUEL ANGEL PARTIDO GARCIA

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