Personal Ramblings of a Punjabi Geek

Aug 21 ’09
Oops, the title may look like a advisory from a Bank or RBI but its my personal suggestion for all you withdrawing cash from ATMs. Yesterday I lost Rs 2500/- while withdrawing cash from the ATM. I have a account at ABC Bank (Withhold for security reasons) but wanted to withdraw cash from DEF Bank’s ATM as it was located closer to my house. I went there and tried withdrawing the cash but after a long delay, only receipt came out saying ‘Transaction Failed’ and nothing else written on it. I thought ok, atleast let me check balance on my card, tried again but again a receipt saying ‘Transaction Failed’ came out and nothing happened. I left the ATM and went to ABC’s Bank ATM (my bank) to withdraw Rs 2500 again. When I had done, receipt showed the balance Rs 5000 less then my last balance. It took me a moment to realise that the failed transaction at DEF Bank’s ATM was actually successful in debiting the money from my account but not successful enough to tender the corresponding cash. OMG! What to do now? Well its a long procedure as I now have submitted a letter to my bank to reverse the transaction. Now here’s another twist, they need the ATM ID of the DEF Bank’s ATM. Since I had never thought this could happen, I had thrown the earlier receipt. Now I took one of the receipts thrown at the DEF Bank’s ATM (since their ATM was down for maintenance) and copied the ATMID and submitted the letter. And It will be a long procedure from now on for the recovery of my Rs 2500/-. As of now there are 90% chances of getting my money back - can’t trust the govt. machinery. SO now a few lessons which I learned which may be helpful to you too for your future ATM Cash Withdrawls: Always prefer your own bank’s ATM first even if its a bit off your route. If it does not work there, then try for other bank’s ATM. If the transaction fails, always check the balance again from a different ATM and keep the receipt of the failed transaction. There is a difference between Transaction failed and Transaction Declined message. Latter message makes sure, that Account has not been debited while with former message, check again as it is not clear here. Hoping that the lessons I learnt will be useful to you too in your coming transactions.

Oops, the title may look like a advisory from a Bank or RBI but its my personal suggestion for all you withdrawing cash from ATMs. Yesterday I lost Rs 2500/- while withdrawing cash from the ATM. I have a account at ABC Bank (Withhold for security reasons) but wanted to withdraw cash from DEF Bank’s ATM as it was located closer to my house. I went there and tried withdrawing the cash but after a long delay, only receipt came out saying ‘Transaction Failed’ and nothing else written on it. I thought ok, atleast let me check balance on my card, tried again but again a receipt saying ‘Transaction Failed’ came out and nothing happened. I left the ATM and went to ABC’s Bank ATM (my bank) to withdraw Rs 2500 again. When I had done, receipt showed the balance Rs 5000 less then my last balance. It took me a moment to realise that the failed transaction at DEF Bank’s ATM was actually successful in debiting the money from my account but not successful enough to tender the corresponding cash. OMG! What to do now? Well its a long procedure as I now have submitted a letter to my bank to reverse the transaction. Now here’s another twist, they need the ATM ID of the DEF Bank’s ATM. Since I had never thought this could happen, I had thrown the earlier receipt. Now I took one of the receipts thrown at the DEF Bank’s ATM (since their ATM was down for maintenance) and copied the ATMID and submitted the letter. And It will be a long procedure from now on for the recovery of my Rs 2500/-. As of now there are 90% chances of getting my money back - can’t trust the govt. machinery. SO now a few lessons which I learned which may be helpful to you too for your future ATM Cash Withdrawls:

  1. Always prefer your own bank’s ATM first even if its a bit off your route. If it does not work there, then try for other bank’s ATM.
  2. If the transaction fails, always check the balance again from a different ATM and keep the receipt of the failed transaction.
  3. There is a difference between Transaction failed and Transaction Declined message. Latter message makes sure, that Account has not been debited while with former message, check again as it is not clear here.
Hoping that the lessons I learnt will be useful to you too in your coming transactions.

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