Automated Teller Machine (ATM) crime has spread to all corners of the UK. Figures released by the British Bankers’ Association in March 2006 showed that there were 879 physical attacks on ATMs in 2005. That’s an average of 73 per month. In that year alone, the ATM sector suffered pure cash losses of GB pound 8,574,210 – equating to an average of GB pound 23,000 per day.
ATM crime involves a wide range of offence types including frauds through cyber attacks, card skimming, the trapping and jamming of cards so that the customer cannot retrieve it but the offender can and the theft of cards. Criminals use a variety of methods to attack ATMs, perhaps targeting staff as they load the machines or customers as they withdraw the cash. It’s worth noting that 10% of attacks in 2006 were the result of ram raids.
The recent Street Crime Initiative reported that ATM offenders use one of three methods to attack the innocent individual withdrawing cash – they ‘shoulder surf’ to retrieve the card PIN number before later stealing the card, they attack people after they have withdrawn their money because they know very well the individual is then ‘cash rich’ or they approach victims directly prior to forcing them to hand over the money dispensed.
Reasons for ATM offences
Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International (PRCI) was asked to interview six ATM crime offenders in order to build a greater understanding of some offenders’ experiences of committing such crime, and to highlight the sorts of decisions that they make when committing their offences. The six interviewees admitted committing over 1,500 offences, including nearly 100 at ATMs.
Interviews were designed to provide insights that might guide thinking on crime prevention. The focus of the interviews was mainly on robberies. Indeed, the findings here are symbolic of a small sample of ATM offenders with drug problems looking to steal enough money to pay for their next fix.
For many, ATM crime was just one of a range of offences they committed. “Every junkie gets to the point where they need money,” said one serial offender. “You run out of ideas. You blag, you rob. You are banned from shops… ATM crime was a last resort for me.”
We know that, for street robbers at least, ATMs are a good locale to look for victims. ATM users are usually withdrawing cash so the offender can be reasonably assured that there will be something to steal. Users are often distracted, either focusing on withdrawing money or putting it in purses and wallets etc, thus making them an easy target.
Many offenders questioned as part of the PRCI study noted that they often selected their victims based on their appearance (ie predominantly well-dressed individuals and often women who appeared less threatening). Offenders used threats and intimidation to scare their victims. Some carried weapons (although they rarely used them).
Is location a factor?
In terms of the vulnerability of ATMs, city centres were considered by most as an inappropriate location to commit ATM crimes given the bustle of such locations and the density of CCTV coverage. The criminals’ preference was for quieter locations outside of the city centre. This is not to disregard the fact that ATM machines are targeted in city centres – there are quieter times of the day when offenders operate. Then, a number of different tactics are used. It’s not unusual for them to work as part of a group, some with several accomplices, others with just one… as the following two interviewees noted:
“[It] needs ten of you. Others hang out in the queue, pretend to be waiting to use the machines. All act independently as though you don’t know each other. One [stands] each side of the victim to clock the PIN number. Others act as look-outs and for ‘have-a-go heroes’, [you] look like you are not together… Did four or five a night – two people at the front, two get the PIN number, one distracts, one snatched the card and six others hung around the ATM”
“We stood in the queue and talked about football… [My] co-defendant hit him in the face. Knocked him down to shock him. I would grab the cash and we are gone. We grab the cash the second he has his card out – no-one else was in the queue”
In fact, the majority of ATM crimes are committed with an accomplice. Rarely was this attempted alone, and only when they were desperate or acting entirely opportunistically. Working in numbers and with the threat of violence was viewed as a way of reducing the chances of someone resisting…
“I threaten them. They more or less have the money in their hand as it comes out of the machine. Then its violence… They don’t really fight back. It’s so quick. It’s shock.”
“I always used the same approach at ATM crimes. Make sure the victim feels the blade in the back of their leg.”
Security needs to be ‘managed’
Security measures needed to be “managed” by offenders. CCTV was less of a worry for them if they were wearing hats to disguise their faces, but offenders recognised the dangers it presented… “CCTV is everywhere. It’s not that good. We’re pretty much aware of where CCTV cameras are. We don’t go around looking for them. We keep our hats on and our heads down. We can hardly make people out… If they can’t see my face I’ll plead not guilty.”
Physical measures such as queuing rails and steps were obstacles to offenders who needed a quick escape. Escape routes were of crucial importance to the offender. The idea of privacy zones served as a deterrent to some offenders, who saw this as a barrier to closing-in on ATM users and, therefore, their money.
In the words of one offender: “Privacy zones would be a good idea. If anyone came into the box the victim can turn around and say: “I’m not using the machine unless you move back,” so yes it would be a good idea.”
The challenge before us all
It’s important to note that this paper doesn’t report on all types of ATM crime, and there are many. Rather, the focus has been on drug users who are committing offences to feed their ongoing drug habit. For the most part, they claimed ATM crime was perceived to be an easy way to earn some money.
However, what this limited study does highlight is that there are a number of physical obstacles and barriers which may deter offenders from committing ATM crimes. Improving visibility around the machines (by cutting back hedges, ensuring there is adequate street lighting, the presence of police or security officers and complicating the escape) was identified by interviewees as being impediments to their work.
Offenders say they commit lots of ATM-related offences, they’re (mostly) not caught and they find it easy. Therein rests the challenge for the security response.