Public Service Anouncement: Beware of Being Short Changed by NAB Deposit ATMs

Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 21:13
Last edited 01/11/2019 - 21:13

Last night I deposited my week's earnings into my local NAB deposit ATM. I had counted it as 26 $100 notes and had them neatly lined up all squared and facing the same way in my wallet. I pulled out the wad and inserted it into the receiver. The machine took a while to count it before displaying a total of $2,500. At that point I questioned myself but thankfully I tapped the button for returning the notes. My 26 $100 notes were returned and I instead reinserted them in bundles of 10, 10 and 6.

If I hadn't been diligent, it seems I would have lost $100. What if I have been short changed before but haven't noticed!? I'm sure others have lost due to these ATMs.

What recourse would I have if I didn't receive all my money back? Would I need proof of what I inserted? Videotaping each deposit would be quite a hassle! I'm really quite unhappy with the service.

So beware of depositing cash at deposit ATMs. I thought an Australian big four bank would maintain their equipment to a high standard. I was wrong. Don't trust the technology!

Has anyone had similar experiences? My search found this: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/472272

Financial

Related Stores

National Australia Bank Group (NAB)
National Australia Bank Group (NAB)

Comments

  • Cheeper on 01/11/2019 - 21:19
    +45

    Good advice. Thanks for the warning.

    • Cheeper on 01/11/2019 - 21:37
      +29

      If a financial institution installs a machine for taking cash deposits I would expect it to be precise and not "roughly right sometimes".
      Then again, both machines and humans do get it wrong.
      Best to trust nothing or nobody when handling cash.

      • mbck on 01/11/2019 - 22:10
        -1

        That's my point. If you expect everything and anything to be 100pc, well good luck. The best is to make sure you cover for any mistakes.

        In this example, you count before you let the machine do it. If there's an issue, recount.

      • Bryanalves on 02/11/2019 - 12:23
        +5

        I expect wollies checkout chick to give the right change, i expect restaraunt/fast food to get the right order, i expect bank tellers to count money right. Be we should always check. How is a machine different?

        • kahn on 02/11/2019 - 14:30
          +11

          The machine can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with, it doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear, and it absolutely will not stop…EVER, until you are dead short-changed! - Kyle Reese

        • unwashed00 on 04/11/2019 - 16:54

          Well, woolies robo-checkout short-changed me 20 cents the other day.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 21:58
      +4

      I don't think you can blame the machine.

      Errr, the machine didn't do what it's designed to do.

      People trust countless machines every day. Do you blame victims of airline aircraft failure too? They and I are in no way responsible for the maintenance and design of respective machines.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:17
          +2

          Aircraft failure is a completely different scenario, in that you have 2 pilots that also controls the machine.

          I think you're referring to pilot error. Plenty of airline crashes have been caused by design or maintenance failures which weren't recoverable by the pilots.

        • Ace Ventura on 03/11/2019 - 20:53
          +2

          An atm does not have a person behind it.

          Well of course it doesn't, everyone knows they sit inside the machine with a torch and a calculator.

      • Cheeper on 01/11/2019 - 22:15
        +2

        Thats why we still have humans (pilots) keeping an eye on those machines… They cant be trusted. The 737 Max is a classic example.

        • mbck on 01/11/2019 - 22:21
          -4

          This guy gets it.

          • t_c on 02/11/2019 - 10:11
            +2

            @mbck: And that's exactly why the atm has been programmed to ask you to check and confirm the amount before proceeding.

            Essentially the atm user takes the role of the pilot.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:25
          +3

          In the case of 737 MAX the design of the equipment, interface and training (actually a scandalous absence of such) were so poor that the pilots couldn't prevent the catastrophic consequences of the failure.

          • mbck on 01/11/2019 - 23:56
            -8

            @Scrooge McDuck: We're talking about atms, and you're still going on about airplanes.

            A cash dispensing/depositing machine vs a plane carrying hundreds of lives with a lot more complex machinery. Yeah that makes complete sense.

            A machine that you should double check prior to using vs…a machine that requires millions in maintenance.

            Yeah…ok boss

            • EyyBanane on 02/11/2019 - 10:14

              @mbck: Would you be okay if you tap for $10 at EFTPOS, the receipt shows $10 and then you realise that $20 has been deducted due to ‘machine error’?

              Considering past instances such as this and business practices in general brought to light through the Royal commission enquirers, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Bank decided to rollout these ATM releases without proper bug fixing.

        • Zachary on 02/11/2019 - 12:21

          So what are we going to do when these driverless cars become a thing in Australia?

          • frewer on 04/11/2019 - 15:04

            @Zachary: We become the product of NWO.As Elon suggest 'Universal income' must be a thing otherwise riot.

            • Zachary on 04/11/2019 - 19:42

              @frewer: I don't get the reference…please explain….

              • frewer on 05/11/2019 - 15:17

                @Zachary:

                what are we going to do when these driverless cars become a thing in Australia?

                Then We become the product of New World Order. Elon Musk says Universal Basic Income is “going to be necessary.”. Mind you I dont tie my meaning to my employment that is just ridiculous, but yes a lot of people does that.

                Keep in mind that nothing is FREE, e.i facebook thought to be free, but turn out the USERS are the product

    • Okayy on 02/11/2019 - 20:33
      +2

      Ok

    • kaleidoscope on 03/11/2019 - 01:35
      -5

      I don’t understand why so many negs? I do believe you have a valid point.

  • bluesky on 01/11/2019 - 21:27
    +19

    When depositing notes, I always go to the counter. Have heard of these occurrences before, so not going to risk it.
    But it is comforting to know there is a button for returning the notes (not continuing) if the amount displayed is different from what you know it to be. So as long as you are diligent, you can make sure the right amount is recorded.

    • CMH on 02/11/2019 - 19:01
      +10

      It's happened to me once.

      Went to deposit a stack of notes with a teller (person), and in the line another bank employee encouraged me to deposit at the automatic deposit machine.

      Right in front of her, the machine miscounted, and I told her "this is why I don't use this" and went back in the line.

      • bluesky on 02/11/2019 - 19:34

        Quite a few times at the local Commbank branch, when I went to the teller line to deposit, there was a bank employee whose specific job was to intercept people and tried to direct them to the machine (inside the bank). The reason given was it would be faster, you would not have to line up etc. I always declined.

        But after a few times the same person kept asking me to do this, I just said I was of the older generation, and not savvy with machines :-)
        She never asked me after that.

    • immortalbjr on 03/11/2019 - 22:25
      +2

      I've had my wife deposit cash for me at my NAB branch before and the cashier legit forgot a $500 stack of cash off to the side.

      I didnt know exactly how much I gave her, I said it was roughly $X amount but when she came back and told me a much lower number I thought she was joking.

      She ended up going back down there and they had to check video footage, dont trust people or machines count it yourself.

      • trapper on 04/11/2019 - 12:47

        I didnt know exactly how much I gave her.

        :/

        • immortalbjr on 04/11/2019 - 17:48

          Talking a couple thousand deposit and I had a good idea within about $100 give or take, hence why I still knew something was up.

          :\

  • apsilon on 01/11/2019 - 21:33

    I'm still yet to see a CBA coin machine count correctly. Due to this I simply refuse to do notes via machine as you're dealing with larger amounts and therefore larger potential loss. You can and should inform them if it counts incorrectly and they should audit the machine and be able to confirm but you really have no guarantee.

  • kahn on 01/11/2019 - 21:34
    +44

    Please tell us more about your weekly earnings and any other boasts you'd like to share.

    • Cheeper on 01/11/2019 - 21:41
      +6

      I dont think he was boasting,….. but I would like to know if there are any vacancies!! 😀

      • kahn on 01/11/2019 - 21:49
        +7

        He's got a good ozbargain reputation, so we can forgive him easily, but here's my point:

        Approach 1 - "I deposited my week's earnings into my local NAB"
        Approach 2 - "I deposited cash into my local NAB"

        Approach 2 would have avoided the needless bragging and might've elicited some compassion. Approach 1 doesn't exactly tug at the heartstrings when someone earning $135,000 per year almost lost their precious $100.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:10
          +6

          I'm not here for compassion. And yes $100 isn't a lot for me, the point is that $2,500 versus $2,600 could be easily overlooked if one isn't diligent.

          I'm here to raise awareness, seek advice and prompt NAB and the other banks to get their acts together.

          • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 06:10
            +8

            @Scrooge McDuck: Wouldn't it be easier to contact NAB directly than trying to get through them by way of ozbargain?

            • Scrooge McDuck on 02/11/2019 - 08:14
              -3

              @[Deactivated]: Maybe if I wanted to make a little splash in the pond. But I'm aiming to drain the swamp!

      • pegaxs on 01/11/2019 - 21:52
        +11

        dont think he was boasting

        Totally a humblebrag post… the story could easily have had the same context if where the money came from or the amount was changed. The only need to mention the amount and from “work” is to humblebrag about it.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:31
        +1

        I would like to know if there are any vacancies!! 😀

        I'm self-employed.

        • Zachary on 02/11/2019 - 13:10
          +1

          2600 a week??! Geezus what are you working as to rake that much in?!

          • Antikythera on 02/11/2019 - 15:34
            +6

            @Zachary: well he is getting paid in cash so either dealer, distributor or bikie

          • stinkydog on 02/11/2019 - 23:39
            +1

            @Zachary: $2,600 may include GST, so 2600/1110 = 2363
            Business expenses such as accounting, legal, machinery, goods, insurance, advertising, interest on investment. ~15k/52, so 2363-288 = 2075
            Possibly working long hours and not a consistent client/income. Assume 1.3x standard income, so 2075/1.3 = 1596
            Doesn't receive guaranteed pay while on planned/extended holiday, so 1596/52            49 = 1503
            Income could well be as low as:
            $78,156/year including income tax, medicare and superannuation
            $56,283 based on above calculation minus income tax, medicare and super.

            tldr: May earn 200k+ a year after expenses and tax, could equally earn <60k.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 21:47
      +17

      Please tell us more about your weekly earnings and any other boasts you'd like to share.

      I'd love to but my yacht is parked in an awkward spot…

      • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:01
        +4

        *moored

        • ssquid on 02/11/2019 - 00:42
          +3

          Bro do you even yacht

          • Scrooge McDuck on 02/11/2019 - 02:25

            @ssquid: I'm primary trimmer, pit, foredecky and navigator on a competitive racing yacht.

          • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 15:54
            +1

            @ssquid: Also a spokesmodel for Pepe's, and paid some danger money. If he ever accidentally navigates into the test kitchen, Krispin McDuck.

    • whooah1979 on 01/11/2019 - 21:51
      +4

      Humblebrag.

      $2600 for a couple of days (not a full week) work and getting paid in cash.

      • kahn on 01/11/2019 - 21:58
        +1

        Humblebragging needs the element of (fake) humbleness, so writing "I deposited my meager weekly earnings of $2600" would classify as such.

        • nfr on 01/11/2019 - 22:33
          +1

          The subject is so petty yet amusing.

          • toristo on 01/11/2019 - 23:51
            +1

            @nfr: The ATO wants to know your location

      • ssquid on 02/11/2019 - 00:44
        +2

        So OP is either a stripper or a drug dealer.

        • CyberMurning on 02/11/2019 - 00:52

          Errr I met him and he doesn't look like stripper so must be….

          Hehe kidding man..

          • Scrooge McDuck on 02/11/2019 - 02:22
            +1

            @CyberMurning: Pretty sure I met you in winter and was wearing snakeskin pants and an Adidas jacket.

      • me4president on 02/11/2019 - 10:22
        +1

        This could be there gross earnings, not taking into account costs endured in obtaining earnings.

    • brendanm on 02/11/2019 - 14:58

      Earnings doesn't equal profit…

      • kahn on 02/11/2019 - 15:04

        Clearly wrong if there are no expenses.

  • theHMASfriendship on 01/11/2019 - 21:38
    +2

    Why do you get paid in 100's, Scrooge?

    Surely that was the day's earnings?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 21:46

      It was a couple of days earnings actually, but I was trying to be modest.

      • pegaxs on 01/11/2019 - 21:55
        +18

        trying to be modest

        Think I threw up in my mouth a little.

      • Zachary on 02/11/2019 - 13:13

        2600x7x52= $946400 a year……..

        • Scrooge McDuck on 02/11/2019 - 13:55
          +7

          Wow! I should work everyday!!

        • Ash SA on 04/11/2019 - 07:30

          Mathematics is not feeling well today

      • bobbified on 04/11/2019 - 18:55

        That's what… 2 eightballs? :p

  • Diji1 on 01/11/2019 - 22:10
    +3

    A couple of times I've withdrawn money from an ATM and it partially dispensed the amount, waited ages and then spat the rest out. I always count what comes out but if you didn't I wonder if people walk away and the next person finds money.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:13
      +1

      And I wonder what happens when NAB counts the notes in the machine and finds too many…

      Bank error in OUR favour, collect $200. Bastards!

      • Ozpit on 02/11/2019 - 09:54
        +4

        Many (many) years ago I withdrew some cash from a NAB ATM and it spat out $30 or $40 more than I asked for - and as was shown on the receipt. Thinking it was my lucky day, I pocketed the money and went on my way.
        Maybe a week later I got a call from the same NAB branch. Yes, when they discovered the cash in the ATM didn’t tally with the transactions, somehow (???) they traced it back to me who had been overpaid, and I had to pay it back. They pretty much treated me like I was a thief; which I guess I was.
        But yes, if the reverse was the case and an ATM transaction erred in the bank’s favour, would they go to similar lengths to trace the origin of the error and contact the customer and tell them that their balance had been corrected - in their favour?

        • abuch47 on 02/11/2019 - 10:53
          +1

          everyday banks balance the ATM

        • Kandrew on 02/11/2019 - 16:43

          Many (many) years ago, I lived in a town where the only ATM was in one of the pubs. It was one of those private ATMs, which I absolutely detest, by the way.

          I withdrew my $100, and that's what showed on the receipt. But only $80 came out. I told the person behind me, and then went to the bar and reported it. They wrote it in a book which they kept for these ATM errors(!) and told me to come back on a certain day, which is the day that Armagard came and restocked the machine and did the balancing.

          I did, and of course, the ATM had balanced. And there was nothing that I could do. The pub wasn't interested. Armagard wasn't interested. My bank wasn't interested. I was the only one affected, so I was the only one who cared.

          Then not many years ago, I bought a car for my daughter. I did some repairs to it, and she decided that she no longer wanted the car.

          I advertised the car on Facebook's Buy, Swap, and Sell for $2200. I had various offers, but eventually agreed to sell to one person for $2000.

          He gave me $1000 cash and transferred the other $1000 from his account to mine. I watched him do it.

          But the money never arrived in my account. My bank couldn't find it. His bank couldn't tell me anything, citing privacy laws. Who knows where that $1000 got to!

          • bluesky on 02/11/2019 - 20:15

            @Kandrew: For such a significant amount ($1000), you could have asked the buyer to request a trace from his bank (if you can get hold of the buyer). There would be a trace fee, but it is insignificant (compared to $1000). Banks cannot simply say that the money is lost. (I am assuming the buyer entered your right account info, in front of you).

            • Kandrew on 02/11/2019 - 23:33
              +1

              @bluesky: I wish that I’d asked for your advice back then. haha
              I never thought of that.

          • ssquid on 02/11/2019 - 20:24
            +1

            @Kandrew: You watched him use a fake webpage designed to mimic a bank site.

            • John Kimble on 02/11/2019 - 22:02

              @ssquid: Or they called their bank after and cancelled it maybe

              • Kandrew on 02/11/2019 - 23:31

                @John Kimble: quite possible. Something else that never crossed my mind.

            • Kandrew on 02/11/2019 - 23:35

              @ssquid: Westpac banking app, from memory.

              ** I have no idea how this reply ended up down here instead of under the comment of @ssquid

          • bmerigan on 03/11/2019 - 22:21

            @Kandrew: I guess the lesson was to confirm the money arrived, not that he sent it somewhere.

            • Kandrew on 04/11/2019 - 13:49

              @bmerigan: Easier to do these days, with instant transfers of money through the banking system. Even three years ago, that wasn’t possible.

          • wetsandwich on 04/11/2019 - 10:24

            @Kandrew: Fake banking app probably. Gumtree scammers seem to have them for bank deposit pickup scams.

            • Kandrew on 04/11/2019 - 13:58

              @wetsandwich: Quite possible. My mind doesn’t work like that, and so I’m often left wondering what happened about certain things.

              There was a shop design at Target, Ashfield which I thought was very convenient but it was suddenly shut off and I complained about it to my then wife. She started laughing and I asked her what she found so funny. She replied that whilst it might have been convenient for me and other shoppers, it was more convenient for shop-lifters, and then proceeded to tell me how they would exploit the situation. I was dumbfounded. I simply don’t think like that and so it would never have crossed my mind.

              • John Kimble on 04/11/2019 - 14:22

                @Kandrew: They've made them all like that? Like Kmart, right? registers in the middle of the store?

                • Kandrew on 06/11/2019 - 07:39

                  @John Kimble: No, this was an 'entrance only' door with a turnstile. And it was on the outside of Ashfield Mall, so you didn't have to walk into the Mall and through the shopping centre to get to Target.

    • kabammi on 04/11/2019 - 07:28

      I once withdrew $200 (4x$50).
      It gave me 5x50.

      Nice! Receipt said $200, my account afterwards said i withdrew $200. But there it was in my hand,$250.

  • Cheeper on 01/11/2019 - 22:20
    +2

    Sounds like some are a little jealous of your earning capacity scrooge!! LOL

    • kahn on 01/11/2019 - 22:30

      I'd give my left rucksack to have an Atari weekly income.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 01/11/2019 - 22:37
        +2

        If you're willing to part with a kidney you could make a nice return. But it's not a long-term gig.

  • onetwothreefour on 01/11/2019 - 22:51
    +15

    Why would anyone brag about how much money they earn? You don't see me bragging about the $5k I made last week…

  • dcep on 01/11/2019 - 23:37
    +4

    Back 10 years ago, the "ATM" cash deposit was by envelope (similar to street post box)

    • John Kimble on 01/11/2019 - 23:55
      +2

      Yeah, but it was just like a safe drop and was manually counted and added to your acc account by staff the next business day…

    • FutureTech on 02/11/2019 - 08:37

      Lol first time o used one of those was so scared after I discovered that the money wasn't in my account instantly

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