I left money at an ATM and it was taken!

BaRcOe

I went to the ATM and left a sum of money, around 400+ euro at it because I got distracted talking to my friends, walked away, realized I had left it there, sprinted back and it was gone!

I am with AIB and it was at a BOI ATM. I was taking out money for my rent. Myself and my friends were standing around. I typed in the amount. Took my card and forgot to take my money.

I contacted AIB and they gave the money back while they investigated. Just yesterday I got a letter in the post saying the money was taken and they deducted the cash from my account again (due to visa regulation..etc)..

AIB got the Audit log from BOI where it showed:

Card was taken
5 seconds later the money came out
7 seconds later the money was taken

So 12 seconds I wasn't looking at the cash, and 7 seconds after I walked away from the ATM.

Anyway, I went to the local Garda station and he said he would check CCTV footage and get back to me. Myself and my friends discussed this and we noticed a man in his 40s/50s at the ATM beside the one I was at. So obviously he is a suspect.

What are my rights here? If the Garda saw someone and can identify them on CCTV footage, what will happen? Will he get arrested / fined? Will I get my money back?

There are around 3-4 Cameras at these ATMs so I do not see how they could not identify this thief?

What are your thoughts, and has this happened to you? Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Sebastian Dangerfield

sugarman wrote: »

Nobody stole your money, you left it there!

Completely wrong. He left money there - in another few seconds it would have been swallowed by the machine and eventually reclaimable. Instead, someone, having seen him walk away, chose to steal the money.

Does it change his likely lack of any resolution - no. But it no way does it excuse theft

Danye

sugarman wrote: »

Stop trying to put the blame on others, you lost you're own money. Grow up and accept the blame.

Theres nothing more anyone can do for you.

Neither the bank nor the gards.

Nobody stole your money, you left it there!

If you left your wallet down at the trolly bay of shop taking out 2quid for a trolley and it went missing, would it be the shops fault or yours?

I hope your winding the OP up with your views?

Nobody stole his money? It was never the persons (who took the money) money to take. That's stealing. The OP made a mistake. An error.

Sorry to hear that OP. I don't know what you can do and I'm doubtful the Guards will help you. Hopefully you get some help.

beauf

The person might be identified on the CCTV.

Especially if they have used it before.

shaunr68

sugarman wrote: »

Nobody stole your money, you left it there!

I think you'll find that you are not allowed to help yourself to other peoples property just because nobody is looking.

Extremely careless on the OP's part of course, but we all make mistakes and the person who lifted money that didn't belong to them is a thief.

GBX

If the Garda can view the footage they may be able to see out who took it - finding out who that person is and locating them is another matter.
As for it being the person you saw - was he in the queue for the ATM? Or are you just assuming its him because he is the only person you recall in the vicinity. This does not automatically make him a "suspect"

beauf

With a bit of luck might be local to the ATM and thus identifiable. If they can be bothered to investigate.

me_irl

GBX wrote: »

This does not automatically make him a "suspect"

But what intrigues me is that usually the ATM will retract the money after a period of time if it's not taken (or is that an urban myth?) So, it would have to be him if the money was missing.

So, Columbo mode...

FACTS
OP put the card in.
Entered PIN.
Entered amount.
Got a beep to remove card.
Walked away from ATM without taking cash.
Man was at the next ATM.

SPECULATION
Old man noticed the beeping of money that hadn't been collected yet.
Took cash.

What I'm hoping is that the money was handed in somewhere. But as this is being investigated by the guards, aren't all our responses void? It's up to them to decide on what to do and hopefully give you reassurance.

KingBrian2

BaRcOe wrote: »

I went to the ATM and left a sum of money, around 400+ euro at it because I got distracted talking to my friends, walked away, realized I had left it there, sprinted back and it was gone!

I am with AIB and it was at a BOI ATM. I was taking out money for my rent. Myself and my friends were standing around. I typed in the amount. Took my card and forgot to take my money.

I contacted AIB and they gave the money back while they investigated. Just yesterday I got a letter in the post saying the money was taken and they deducted the cash from my account again (due to visa regulation..etc)..

AIB got the Audit log from BOI where it showed:

Card was taken
5 seconds later the money came out
7 seconds later the money was taken

So 12 seconds I wasn't looking at the cash, and 7 seconds after I walked away from the ATM.

Anyway, I went to the local Garda station and he said he would check CCTV footage and get back to me. Myself and my friends discussed this and we noticed a man in his 40s/50s at the ATM beside the one I was at. So obviously he is a suspect.

What are my rights here? If the Garda saw someone and can identify them on CCTV footage, what will happen? Will he get arrested / fined? Will I get my money back?

There are around 3-4 Cameras at these ATMs so I do not see how they could not identify this thief?

What are your thoughts, and has this happened to you? Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

You were incredible careless. Never leave money aside like that. Who knows what happened to the money. Someone could be feeding the addiction with it. Be a lot more careful and approach the ATM with caution in future. Start using cards instead of cash as it is a lot less dangerous and if they steal it you can ring the bank and get a new one.

I wish you the best and hope the Gardaí can help you.

GBX

me_irl wrote: »

But what intrigues me is that usually the ATM will retract the money after a period of time if it's not taken (or is that an urban myth?) So, it would have to be him if the money was missing.

So, Columbo mode...

FACTS
OP put the card in.
Entered PIN.
Entered amount.
Got a beep to remove card.
Walked away from ATM without taking cash.

CONJECTURE
Old man was at ATM beside.
Noticed the beeping of money that hadn't been collected yet.
Took cash.

What I'm hoping is that the money was handed in somewhere. But as this is being investigated by the guards, aren't all our responses void? It's up to them to decide on what to do and hopefully give you reassurance.

Yes I would have assumed the money got swallowed back into the machine after some time. But perhaps not in time for somebody to get it before the OP.
I was merely stating that it is not necessarily the man that the OP noticed at the ATM beside the one they were at.

my3cents

me_irl wrote: »

But what intrigues me is that usually the ATM will retract the money after a period of time if it's not taken (or is that an urban myth?) So, it would have to be him if the money was missing.

....

Watched it happen. Guy did like the OP but no one else was at the ATM and as the guy walked away he suddenly remembered his money and in the time it took him to run about 10 m back to the machine it vanished inside. I wasn't really sure what I'd seen until the cursing and shouting at the machine made it obvious :rolleyes:

com1

Something similar happened to me (though the other way around) I went to an ATM (outside a bank) and found €300 in the cash slot. I was in a bit of a hurry so I took the money then used the machine myself (took money out with my card). Then I went into the bank to hand in the €300 - the teller just took the money off me, but when I tried to explain that it most likely belonged to the person who used the machine before me he wasn't interested at all. Didn't want my card details, nothing. I often wondered what ever happened to the cash

Spanish Eyes

com1 wrote: »

Something similar happened to me (though the other way around) I went to an ATM (outside a bank) and found €300 in the cash slot. I was in a bit of a hurry so I took the money then used the machine myself (took money out with my card). Then I went into the bank to hand in the €300 - the teller just took the money off me, but when I tried to explain that it most likely belonged to the person who used the machine before me he wasn't interested at all. Didn't want my card details, nothing. I often wondered what ever happened to the cash

Same as me with a bit of a difference!

I found E250 and brought it to my local garda station. I wrote down the details and so on and left my name address and contact numbers, and I made sure I got a receipt. There was no bank nearby. The guard told me that if it wasn't claimed within X months (don't remember now probably six or something), I could claim it.

So I went back to the station after 6 months and in fairness with a bit of paperwork it was given to me.

TBH now, even if I found money in an ATM beside the bank, I would still give it to the Garda Station as above. I would let the bank know that the money was there if anyone claimed it.

I'm not criticising you, but I wouldn't give any money found anywhere to a bank! Your experience bears that out.

amber2

It gets lodged into a suspense account
Until someone either contacts their bank or branch saying they didn't receive their cash as there is no point Trying to guess from a tally roll whose cash it is, too time consuming. Most Customers who leave cash at an ATM their first port of call is their bank saying they used their card on such a day and time but didn't receive their cash.

GreenFolder2

Oddly enough the doctrine of Finders Keepers doesn't generally apply in real law.

CCTV might be able to point out who took it and also verify if the bank's records are correct.

Normally the ATM would swallow the money back in after a set time and it would eventually get reconciled to the correct account.

If someone took it, it's basically theft.

ButtersSuki

I'm sure the Gardai are working day and night on this and putting their best people on it......not. I doubt very much you will ever see this again, even if they go to the trouble to go through any available footage (which I doubt) and identify the culprit. Even if they do identify him/her your chances of getting the cash back are slim at best.

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you but unfortunately it's your own fault. I'd put it down to a learning experience and move on.

my3cents

The OP's problem is that even if the person who took the money can be identified there is very little chance of them getting the money back.

Spanish Eyes

GreenFolder2 wrote: »

Oddly enough the doctrine of Finders Keepers doesn't generally apply in real law.

CCTV might be able to point out who took it and also verify if the bank's records are correct.

Normally the ATM would swallow the money back in after a set time and it would eventually get reconciled to the correct account.

If someone took it, it's basically theft.

Yes it is theft if it is not yours. Unless you hand it in.

Re the finders keepers, that will only work if you hand it in and no one claims it. Otherwise what else could it be only theft?

Sleeper12

OP I'm sorry for your troubles. You know it was your own fault you don't need us to point it out. It can happen to anyone. Post something on boards and there'll be a queue of people looking to kick you while you are down.
Anyway your question is what happens from here. Assuming cops can identify the guy & can see without doubt the he took the money most likely they'll ask for it back. Give it back now and we'll leave it there. It might be easy to see him take it but very hard to prove that he wasn't going to hand it in eventually. So best outcome is for cops to get cash back & no court case. If there is court case you won't see the money for possibly a year.
I have fingers crossed for the return of your money

Spanish Eyes

Anyway, as an aside, do many people pay their rent in cash these days.... ahem.

Even if the lead tenant pays it, surely a SEPA transfer to him/her by the other tenant(s) is the safest way of doing it. Unless the LL is....

GreenFolder2

Did you check with the Garda station btw?
It's quite possible someone handed it in.

Bandana boy

Gardai might look at the CCTV footage although probably not.
If they do , unless the recognize the person immediately that will be the end of it .
Far more serious crimes than this get no investigation , any level of inquiry would cost the state more than the amount they are returning to you.

I think you will just have to take this as a very costly lesson in talking better care of your money .

Graham

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Unless the LL is....

someone who prefers cash?

Spanish Eyes

Graham wrote: »

someone who prefers cash?

Oh I couldn't possibly say :P

man98

I'm playing the devil's advocate here but if it was the person using the ATM machine adjacent to the one OP used, surely all it would take is a simple cross reference as to whose card was in that certain ATM at that time and boom you have name; address; phone; PPS; the whole shebang. However, we don't live in a perfect world. Take the rough with the smooth, I'd probably be writing that off as a loss. It was negligent but you have my sympathies.

my3cents

man98 wrote: »

I'm playing the devil's advocate here but if it was the person using the ATM machine adjacent to the one OP used, surely all it would take is a simple cross reference as to whose card was in that certain ATM at that time and boom you have name; address; phone; PPS; the whole shebang. However, we don't live in a perfect world. Take the rough with the smooth, I'd probably be writing that off as a loss. It was negligent but you have my sympathies.

If the guy who took the money when up to it with their card there's a good chance they didn't bother using it and just took the OP's €400.

Miaireland

Firstly the you have no right of recourse with the bank. You left the money there and it was taken before it could be retracted by the machine. The bank is not at fault.

Hopefully the Gardai will find out who took the money but to be honest I would not be holding out too much hope of getting my cash back in the near future. Firstly the cctv at the bank would have to be working, the suspect must be id, caught, brought to court and may or may not be ordered to pay the money back. Unless the person is already known to the Gardai it could be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack particularly if he had up a hood etc and to be honest I don't think the Gardai will have the man power to investigate this too much.

I know this is unlikely but is there any chance your friend could have taken it?

Agent Mug

BaRcOe wrote: »

I went to the local Garda station and he said he would check CCTV footage and get back to me.

Check with the Garda station again because they did say they get back to you also because you've reported this to your bank and the garda it would be wise to get legal advice on this or even go to your free legal advice center and ask questions, also ask about a copy of the CCTV footage, get on to your bank again and ask them whats on the CCTV footage more than likely they wont tell you but ask them how long they keep that footage.

You made a mistake but that doesn't mean you have no legal rights here, if that was a faulty ATM and you took money out that wasn't your do you think the bank would let you get away with it.

Good luck.

CJmasgrande

I had similar experience two years ago. I called the bank the following day and they said they would check. Turned out my 500 cash was swallowed back by the machine as apparently you have to be prompt or it takes it back. I was distracted talking on phone I learned to always give it full attention since

darlett

KingBrian2 wrote: »

You were incredible careless. Never leave money aside like that. Who knows what happened to the money. Someone could be feeding the addiction with it.

Educational stuff. Or like maybe the taker is going to put it towards a deposit on setting up an orphanage. I guess we might never know.


My sympathies OP. I know I had an identical sounding incident about 10 years and was only just more fortunate on the day. Withdrawing cash for rent to lodge into account, I pocketed my ATM card and wallet and was on my way odd about 30 yards away when I had my moment of clarity and a cold sweat realising I'd left it behind. Dashed back to ATM with the next ATM user grumbling about how I should be more careful as he handed the wad to me. I was most grateful and he was right I knew, but these things happen. Pretty much anyone can mislay or forget an equally pricey item such as a mobile phone or worse your car keys. If we're fully organised and always thinking logically it need never happen, but it does so to the best of us every now and then.

Chances seem slim but best of luck in getting the cooperation and help in getting the situation resolved.

fin12

sugarman wrote: »

Stop trying to put the blame on others, you lost you're own money. Grow up and accept the blame.

Theres nothing more anyone can do for you.

Neither the bank nor the gards.

Nobody stole your money, you left it there!

If you left your wallet down at the trolly bay of shop taking out 2quid for a trolley and it went missing, would it be the shops fault or yours?

His money was stolen because the person who took the money knew that that was not their money. Any decent person would hand it back into the bank.