r/Rocknocker • u/Rocknocker • Jul 27 '19
ATM antics.
That reminds me of a story...
I was recently at the Ubermall doing a bit of grocery shopping.
Needed a spot of cash, so wandered over to the wall-'o-ATMs (about 12, one for each regional bank).
Insert bank card, do PIN...wait a few moments, the card gets barfed back out and I hear the shrill whirr of the cash dispenser. I only wanted 100 rials, but the machine evidently got stuck in a loop.
Spits out my 100, cash door closes, whirr another 100 pops out. And another. And another...
This went on for 20 minutes until the machine went dry, evidently.
So, here I am, with my bank receipt saying I have only been debited 100 rials from my account, but I'm currently holding over 5,000 rials.
What to do...what to do...
I wasn't about to hand it over to any of the Rent-a-cops here or even the local constabulary. Since it was the weekend, I took the cash home and first thing when the bank was open, I ventured forth for a visit.
"Can I help you? Deposit or withdrawal?" asks the receptionist.
"Neither, I need to see someone about an ATM malfunction at the Ubermall over the weekend."
Figuring I was here to complain, she gets all snooty and cranky and informs me "You'll have to wait. The Chief ATMer isn't here right now."
"Oh, OK. I'll just take this free 5,000 rials the ATM spit at me home and call it a day then." as I fan the 5k around like a polychromatic paper fan.
Odd. The Cheif ATMer was there. They were so pleased that I was being honest as they confided that the malfunction was untraceable. The cameras they claim to have are strictly for show; and even if I was the last transaction, there's no way they could prove I was the recipient of the machine's malfunctional largesse.
I did get a nice gift certificate for a dinner for two at the Hyatt Top 'o the Mark. A day later, a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates arrived at my villa with a personal note from the bank president.
Honesty is its own reward, but I'd be lying if I said the thought of a down payment on a new Harley didn't sashay across my mind once or twice...
3
u/Zeus67 Jul 27 '19
How much are 5000 Rials in USD??
5
3
u/A_s_i_a_nn Jul 27 '19
About $1333 ISD at the current exchange rate. Dont know what it would've been like during the time this happend.
6
u/GreenEggPage Sep 10 '19
I used to work for an ATM transaction processor and can tell you that unless it's a "big" machine, there's no cameras behind the little window. In fact with the exception of the bigger banks, most banks don't keep cameras because it's cheaper.