The ATM appears to have completed the operation, but the banknotes do not come out of the slot. It happened in Cesano, Rome, in recent days, with subsequent intervention by the Carabinieri. In the event that you find yourself faced with such a scene, do not assume that it is a simple fault with the automatic teller machine: you could be faced with a case of cash trappinga technique with which criminals physically block the money dispensed by the ATM and then go and recover it once the victim of the scam leaves, thinking of a malfunction. We started talking about this phenomenon again after the news reported some episodes that allegedly occurred in the capital. In order to avoid falling victim to such a scam, let’s see what cash trapping is and how to defend yourself.
What is cash trapping and how does the scam work
The term “cash trapping” can be translated into Italian as “withholding of cash” and explains quite well what the mechanism behind the scam is. The criminals’ objective is to ensure that the banknotes, despite having been regularly dispensed by the machine, remain hidden or stuck in the opening from which they should come out.
This means, therefore, that despite having inserted the card into the appropriate ATM slot and having authorized the operation via the PIN, the procedure, at least apparently, is not successful. But no error message appears on the ATM screen. You simply don’t see the money authorized for withdrawal come out of the designated compartment. And this happens following tampering with the dispenser slot: fraudsters can insert a small device, for example a tab or an adhesive bar, usually made of metal, capable of holding cash.
By not seeing the money come out, you could easily conclude that the ATM had a problem and the withdrawal was not completed. And one might draw this conclusion especially if one ignores the existence of this technique. By walking away from the ATM you would give the criminal who orchestrated the scam the chance to recover the stolen goods.
What you need to do to defend yourself
Now that you know about the existence of this scam, let’s see what you need to do to defend yourself. Before inserting the card and starting a withdrawal, look at the machine and especially check the area where the banknotes should come out. Look for any unusual signs of tampering: scratches, stickers, parts that appear to move, or foreign devices, such as small metal or adhesive bars. In short, check that the opening of the dispenser looks normal and that there are no objects applied or inserted inside it. If the ATM seems compromised, change it and prefer one located inside the bank or post office if possible.
During the operation, also pay attention to what happens immediately after the cash request: if the withdrawal is authorized but the banknotes are not delivered, do not consider the operation concluded and report the anomaly to your institution’s customer service. And if a stranger were to approach you to offer his help, follow the suggestion that the State Police has published in this communication: «be wary of strangers who try to approach you with the intention of helping you when withdrawing money». Prudence, in these cases, is never too much.
