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  #1  
Old 07-05-2018, 09:46 PM
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Default Using ATMs

A few days ago I drove down to my bank to deposit a check into the ATM.

It was 7pm and still bright sunlight outside.

The bank was closed, and the parking lot was empty except for a 20 something guy on a bicycle hanging around the outside ATMs.

He looked a bit sketchy to me.

I sat there in my vehicle for a few minutes getting the check and ATM card ready, but he spent the whole time putting on a pair of gloves. Why one would wear gloves in 90 degree weather in the summer is a good question.

I didn't have my CCW with me.

I ended up not getting out of my vehicle and driving back home.

But even if I had my snub in my pocket, I think I would have gone home just to avoid the chance of having to use it.

I went back the next day during business hours and deposited the check.

I feel like I'm getting paranoid.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:55 PM
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I would have done the same thing, even though I carry at all times. It may be a minor inconvenience to leave and return later, but it might have cost you a lot more time & money if you had to defend yourself. Not to mention chance of physical and psychological injury.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:55 PM
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Not parinoid,..... Aware. Listen to that small still voice in your head. It's common sense.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:08 PM
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First rule of concealed carry (even if you weren’t at the time) is to assiduously avoid any situation where you may need to defend yourself if at all possible. You did the right thing in listening to your instincts. With that said, why weren’t you carrying? It needs to become second nature.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal44 View Post
I didn't have my CCW with me.
I ended up not getting out of my vehicle and driving back home.
But even if I had my snub in my pocket, I think I would have gone home just to avoid the chance of having to use it.
I went back the next day during business hours and deposited the check.
Problem, solution, problem, solution. Worked out great for everyone. Joe
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:32 PM
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First rule of concealed carry (even if you weren’t at the time) is to assiduously avoid any situation where you may need to defend yourself if at all possible. You did the right thing in listening to your instincts. With that said, why weren’t you carrying? It needs to become second nature.
An't that the truth!
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Old 07-06-2018, 12:12 AM
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Paranoid? Nah... The question is: Are you paranoid enough? Seriously, you did everything right. You spotted a situation, stayed safe and mobile while you continued to check it out. Then you separated yourself from the situation. Common sense won here. You decided to wait for another time. The check would still be good the next day.

Nope, not paranoid; just vigilant. You did great.
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Old 07-06-2018, 05:47 AM
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….still bright sunlight outside.…. a 20 something guy on a bicycle hanging around the outside ATMs.

Why one would wear gloves in 90 degree weather in the summer is a good question.

Better safe than sorry, but as a former recreational cyclist, I can hypothesize about the ATM and gloves.

Parking lot ATM structures offer shade to the exposed cyclist.

Cycling gloves featuring padded palms relieve the pressure of your upper body weight against the handlebars. They are especially useful on "English Racer" type road bikes when leaning down for decreased wind resistance.
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Old 07-06-2018, 07:08 AM
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If the cyclist was wearing one of those helmets and Spandex shorts, I wouldn't worry about it.

Last edited by Bozz10mm; 07-06-2018 at 09:48 PM.
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Old 07-06-2018, 07:13 AM
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I agree with the above comments, you used your JDLR ("just doesn't look right") sense and didn't assume it was a benign situation. I cut back greatly from my ATM trips by using an online bank app that allows check deposits; even smaller banks have this now, highly recommended.

"The bank was closed, and the parking lot was empty except for a 20 something guy on a bicycle hanging around the outside ATMs.

He looked a bit sketchy to me."

All that Spandex creeps me out too.
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Old 07-06-2018, 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by tlawler View Post
First rule of concealed carry (even if you weren’t at the time) is to assiduously avoid any situation where you may need to defend yourself if at all possible. You did the right thing in listening to your instincts. With that said, why weren’t you carrying? It needs to become second nature.
Second rule of concealed carry: Always carry, if you only carry 90% of the time,,,you probably won't be armed when you need it.
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Old 07-06-2018, 07:50 AM
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I rarely use ATMs. We go to the bank during the day. I always carry. If I saw someone that didn’t look “right”, I would call Police and wait to explain why.
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Old 07-06-2018, 08:08 AM
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I always carry but I would go to another bank branch ATM.
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Old 07-06-2018, 08:56 AM
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Good call...............................
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Old 07-06-2018, 11:19 AM
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Good call...............................
Indeed !

Outstanding awareness and judgement.
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Old 07-06-2018, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by tlawler View Post
First rule of concealed carry (even if you weren’t at the time) is to assiduously avoid any situation where you may need to defend yourself if at all possible. You did the right thing in listening to your instincts. With that said, why weren’t you carrying? It needs to become second nature.
I've worked in areas where the need to defend yourself may happen at anytime. Near the ghetto in the D.C. area..I was a different color and stood out.

Guess I could have hidden in my motel room and avoided going out, but I chose to put my gun in my belt and face the danger.

My rule is stand tall and approach all situations with confidence.
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Old 07-06-2018, 11:39 AM
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Don't use ATMs myself, but it seems like you made the best choice even if you were armed at the time. Situational awareness can get you out of trouble without needing to resort to violence.

I love my small local bank. It's about the only one left that's locally owned and operated. They do have ATMs, of course, but I can deposit checks by photographing them with my phone. It takes a couple days to go through, but I'm good with that. Then I shred the check after my account has been credited.
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Old 07-06-2018, 11:58 AM
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I rarely use ATMs for the reasons described. I am almost always armed ("always" is close, but potentially inaccurate), and I would not have used that ATM either. If I had my dog with me AND REALLY NEEDED the cash*, I MIGHT, especially when I had Bozo (and I would taken off his muzzle just to communicate the reason for him being with me) ... but if it does not look right it probably isn't and you should surely act that way.

*I rarely need cash, and try like heck to avoid carrying much. If I am sure I will need it, I try to plan in advance so I don't have to go the ATM or similar setting.
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Old 07-06-2018, 02:15 PM
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I haven't used a ATM in probably 20 years ..

And with planning I have never needed money and the need to deposit something can always wait till the next day during banking hours ..
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Old 07-06-2018, 02:19 PM
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A lot of cyclists (including me in my younger years), wear cycling gloves to avoid wear, tear and friction on their hands.

All the same, you did exactly the right thing by listening to your gut. Be prudent. Heck, at my age I don't even buy green bananas!

John
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Old 07-06-2018, 03:00 PM
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Like others have said you did the right thing and I would have done the same, but no b/c I’m afarid but b/c I have good sense. When you have that funny feeling in your gut listen and take evasive action. Also, you could have called the police and reported your situation. They would have responded and helped. Besides, they likely are looking for this suspect in other cases and if not, they need to start looking.
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Old 07-06-2018, 03:26 PM
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I am convinced that, over the years, my spidey sense has saved me from hazardous situations that I will never know about.
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Old 07-06-2018, 05:10 PM
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Caution makes sense in that situation IMHO.

Me? I don't even remember how to use an ATM.
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Old 07-06-2018, 06:19 PM
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I seem to be one of the few people remaining in North America who has never used a ATM. I do my banking and credit union business during normal business hours, dealing with real people face to face. The Powers That Be may eliminate that option at some time in the future, so I may have to learn new ways to do business.

As for the OP, you did just the right thing under the circumstances. A fight avoided is a fight won, without injury to anyone.
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Old 07-06-2018, 06:43 PM
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A fight avoided is a fight won.
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Old 07-06-2018, 06:54 PM
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Use my CU ATMs all the time.
Always look around as I approach, won’t use it if I see folks lurking nearby.
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Old 07-06-2018, 07:47 PM
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I agree with OLD COP. Don't put yourself in a bad situation, but let the local PD know a suspicious person may be stoking the ATM.
;they want to know. Wait for the patrol to arrive and point the person out if necessary. If he is one of the local low lifes he probability has warrants out. Good call!
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:31 PM
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Good decision making and awareness. Don't do ATMs too much anymore also. I have the phone app, and deposits are a breeze. The bank however, did not care for me sending pictures of twenty dollar bills to my account. Go figure.
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Old 07-06-2018, 09:42 PM
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That was not paranoia. It was excellent situational awareness. Nicely done.
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Old 07-06-2018, 10:17 PM
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Good decision making and awareness. Don't do ATMs too much anymore also. I have the phone app, and deposits are a breeze. The bank however, did not care for me sending pictures of twenty dollar bills to my account. Go figure.
A few years ago here a driver got a photo in the mail of them going past a speed camera along with an $80 fine.

They sent back a photo of four $20 notes.

Not long afterwards they received from police a photo of a pair of handcuffs.

they paid the fine the next day.
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Old 07-07-2018, 01:51 AM
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I rarely use ATMs. We go to the bank during the day. I always carry. If I saw someone that didn’t look “right”, I would call Police and wait to explain why.

All that does is tie up resources that could have been better used responding to crimes that had actually happened.
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Old 07-07-2018, 08:43 AM
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I wouldn't let a guy on a bike putting gloves on intimidate me.
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Old 07-07-2018, 09:56 AM
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I seem to be one of the few people remaining in North America who has never used a ATM.

Are there two of us???
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Old 07-07-2018, 01:38 PM
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I wouldn't let a guy on a bike putting gloves on intimidate me.
It's not at question of intimidation ATMs are a known high risk environment. People literally go there to wait and rob someone.

The OP saw something shady and decided that avoidance was better than victory.

Daniel-San best block, no be there.
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Old 07-07-2018, 03:29 PM
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I am convinced that, over the years, my spidey sense has saved me from hazardous situations that I will never know about.
I agree .. several times the tingle on the back of my neck induced me to go else where ..

And it usually happens when traveling .. We pulled into a motel when traveling and there was 3 men in the side parking area .. probably 75 yards away and they all walked behind a truck when my light's hit them as I pulled into the drive .. they just didn't look right ..

We drove off to the next town and stayed .. Heard the next morning that at that motel cars and trucks had been broken into over night ..
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Old 07-07-2018, 03:34 PM
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That's called your "gut"

Listen to it.

You did well OP!

I listen to my gut a lot, but mainly because my diet consists of beans and hot sauce. !
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Old 07-07-2018, 04:02 PM
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I have used ATM's for last 25 years and always when armed. ATM's have always been an easy way to get cash....and robbers use them too!
We are in the midst of drug epidemic like never seen before, so no doubt there are junkies out there every minute looking to steal.
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Old 07-07-2018, 05:40 PM
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i have never used an ATM machine.....i have no need of them.....
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Old 07-08-2018, 07:58 AM
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If I limited or curtailed my day to day activities due to the presence of odd looking or weird acting strangers, I'd never get anything done. The world is full of people who might look "sketchy", or people who don't look "right" (whatever that means).

I won't live my life being afraid of people who don't fit into a random set of appearance/personality markers that people use to describe "normal".
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Old 07-08-2018, 10:55 AM
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People seem to see this issue as two extremes. In reality it's a big gray zone. I don't think anyone is suggesting we all cower in our homes while afraid of the boogy man. But there's no sense ignoring one's spidey sense either. In my area if we don't go out in the rain, we'd never go out. That doesn't mean that I'd ignore tornado warnings if I were in Kansas.

This is all about going about one's life with a bit of situational awareness. If something looks hinky, it may well be. You get to make you own choice whether you proceed into the hinky zone or avoid it. The key is to notice it and make a conscious decision about your actions.
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Old 07-08-2018, 11:18 AM
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Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you.
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Old 07-08-2018, 11:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal44 View Post
A few days ago I drove down to my bank to deposit a check into the ATM.

It was 7pm and still bright sunlight outside.

The bank was closed, and the parking lot was empty except for a 20 something guy on a bicycle hanging around the outside ATMs.

He looked a bit sketchy to me.

I sat there in my vehicle for a few minutes getting the check and ATM card ready, but he spent the whole time putting on a pair of gloves. Why one would wear gloves in 90 degree weather in the summer is a good question.

I didn't have my CCW with me.

I ended up not getting out of my vehicle and driving back home.

But even if I had my snub in my pocket, I think I would have gone home just to avoid the chance of having to use it.

I went back the next day during business hours and deposited the check.

I feel like I'm getting paranoid.

I will say this. It's not uncommon for some people on bicycles to wear 'riding gloves", I used to wear them. He could have just used the ATM to make a withdrawal just as you pulled up. saw that a car was approaching, moved his bike out of the way before putting on his riding gloves before taking off...

As someone who is licensed to carry, not all things turn out the way you think they are.

Last edited by RGVshooter; 07-08-2018 at 11:25 AM.
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Old 07-08-2018, 11:31 AM
Jim NNN Jim NNN is offline
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I think the OP did the right thing (not using the ATM.) I carry at all times, too, so I think what I also would've done was just sit in my car and wait to see what he did next. I would've done this only because I would worry about the next person who came to the ATM. If he would've lingered too long or watched other ATM customers too intently, I would've called the cops. I understand that others may not have the time to take such an approach, but I sometimes do.
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Old 07-08-2018, 11:33 AM
Sevens Sevens is offline
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FAR more odd and mysterious than a bicyclist wearing gloves in 90+ degree weather is a gun guy posting on a gun forum who reports about going out in the world and visiting a bank in the evening without his carry gun.

It's almost as silly as the guys who carry different guns when they (excuse me while I chuckle) percieve different levels of threat.

Ludicrous is the word you seek. Ludicrous if you think you have an edge on what MIGHT happen and when and where. It's like taking a spare tire in the care but only when you think you might travel down a road littered with glass and metal shavings.

Ludicrous.

My apologies for the clear thinking that usually gets construed as "rude" on a discussion forum.
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