ATM robberies on uptick

Area law enforcement agencies are expecting an increase in ATM service technician robberies for at least the next several months.

Already, there has been three attempts in the last month and a half:

– 4:20 p.m., Sept. 30 — Two masked suspects robbed an ATM service technician in Midwest City.
– 11:49 p.m., Nov. 8 — There was an attempt to disable an ATM in Moore.
– 7:42 p.m. on Nov. 9 — Three masked suspects robbed an ATM service technician in Oklahoma City.

Why is that happening more frequently?

ATM machines hold more money in the cassettes than a robber would typically get in a teller robbery (especially with the increased use of cash recyclers).

How is this happening?

– Suspects disable the card acceptor slot (usually with a glue substance such as super glue).
– ATM customer reports inability to insert card.
– Financial institution places call for service.
– Suspects wait close to the machine until the service technician arrives.
– Suspects rob service technician once the machine is opened or follow the technician to the next machine.

Precautions to prevent this from happening:

– Financial institutions that place service calls for card acceptor issues should share this alert with their service provider.
– Service providers sending technicians for calls regarding card acceptor issues are encouraged to send two technicians and, if not, call 9-1-1 to request “standby assistance” prior to arrival at the machine.
– Service technicians are encouraged to survey the ATM site prior to arrival for any occupied, parked vehicles.
– If an occupied, parked vehicle is observed, they should not stop at the machine without first placing a call for standby assistance.