You’ll also want to look at the machine itself. Devices called card skimmers are becoming more common and, while there is no universal signal that an ATM is compromised, if something seems off about how the card slot looks then you’ll just want to find another machine to use. Only use ATMs during the day in well trafficked areas, if possible.
Particular machines may have a special fee (usually when in a tourist area) which should be labeled on the machine. If you travel out of the country, there may be additional fees associated with the distance or currency change.
In addition, when the branch is closed, you will still be able to access the ATM by swiping your bank’s card on the card reader, giving you added security.
While PINs are typically four or six digits long, note that this length may vary depending on the financial institution associated with your ATM card.
Fast cash - which allows you to quickly withdraw a set amount as labeled on the machine. This is usually either $40, $50, or $60. Targeted withdrawal - which allows you to specify how much you want to withdraw by typing in the amount. Be careful of your limits. Most ATMs and banks limit how much you can withdraw from an ATM in a given day. The limit varies widely based on your bank and your account type, but limits between $300-$1000 are common.
Deposit cash. This is usually fed into the machine, though sometimes a deposit envelope may be required. If you are using a modern ATM, you should be able to insert a stack of bills, often between 30-50 bills at a time, and the machine will count them up automatically. Deposit checks. Older machines may require that you use a deposit slip in order to deposit a check, but for most modern machines you can simply feed the check into the ATM. The ATM will provide you with specific instructions, and a deposit envelope if you don’t have one. If you do need to fill out a deposit envelope, it’s better to get the envelope from the machine and then exit out of the transaction, filling out the details and inserting the check into the envelope in your car or other safe location. Simply return to the machine, reinsert your card, and start the process over again once the envelope is prepared.
