Using ATMs

[Cal44]

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.

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

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.

 

[kraynky]

Not parinoid,..... Aware. Listen to that small still voice in your head. It's common sense.

 

[tlawler]

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.

 

[pharmer]

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

 

[STCM(SW)]

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!

 

[Krogen]

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.

 

[bigwheelzip]

….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.

 

[Bozz10mm]

If the cyclist was wearing one of those helmets and Spandex shorts, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[murphydog]

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.

 

[misswired]

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.

 

[haywood]

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.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I always carry but I would go to another bank branch ATM.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Good call...............................

 

[LoadedRound]

Good call...............................

Indeed !

Outstanding awareness and judgement.

 

[bigggbbruce]

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.

 

[TX-Dennis]

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.

 

[Doug M.]

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.

 

[Whitwabit]

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 ..

 

[PALADIN85020]

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

 

[Old cop]

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.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I am convinced that, over the years, my spidey sense has saved me from hazardous situations that I will never know about.

 

[Targets Guy]

Caution makes sense in that situation IMHO.

Me? I don't even remember how to use an ATM.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[deadear dan]

A fight avoided is a fight won.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Use my CU ATMs all the time.
Always look around as I approach, won’t use it if I see folks lurking nearby.

 

[Steve K]

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!

 

[Coot47]

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.

 

[Yiogo]

That was not paranoia. It was excellent situational awareness. Nicely done.
Jawge

 

[Kiwi cop]

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.