Automated teller machine facts for kids

The full form of ATM is Automated Teller Machine for short, is a machine that lets people take out (withdraw) cash from their bank accounts. In the UK ATMs are often called cash machines, cashpoints or the hole in the wall.

Some ATMs allow people to do more than take money out. They may allow people to put in money, or check how much money is in a bank account.

ATMs may be found in stores and shopping malls. Sometimes, they can be found in bars or restaurants. Other times, at special events, people may set one up so the guests can use the machine, like at a fundraiser.

People need a debit card or credit card in order to use an ATM. They will also need to have a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is a code that lets them get into their account.

There are a number of scams with ATMs. In one scam, con artists look over the victim's shoulder and find their PIN; this is known as shoulder surfing. In another, they may install a video camera and get PIN numbers from that way. They then make cards using the PIN number and account number to be able to use that person's account.

Images for kids

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  An NCR Personas 75-Series interior, multi-function ATM in the United States

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  An NCR SelfServ 6632 from Otto., a Finnish ATM network operator

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  Smaller indoor ATMs dispense money inside convenience stores and other busy areas, such as this off-premises Wincor Nixdorf mono-function ICA ATM in Sweden.

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  An old Nixdorf ATM

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  Actor Reg Varney using the world's first cash machine in Enfield Town, north London on 27 June 1967

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  Sberbank ATM in Tolyatti, Russia

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  The world's highest ATM at the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, which is located at the height of 4,693 metres (15,397 ft) above sea level

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  An ATM in the Netherlands. The logos of a number of interbank networks to which it is connected are shown. PIN card logo are not placed, although this system was in use here at the time.

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  A Diebold 1063ix with a dial-up modem visible at the base

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  HSBC Express Banking ATM in, Shatin, Hong Kong

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  Assortment of ATMs in Siam Paragon shopping centre, Bangkok, Thailand

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  A block diagram of an ATM

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  Two Loomis employees refilling an ATM at the Downtown Seattle REI

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  Although Microsoft discontinued support for the operating system in 2014, a significant number of ATMs as of 2020 still use versions of Windows XP, as seen with this machine at a branch of Tesco Express in Slough, Berkshire.

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  A Wincor Nixdorf ATM running Windows 2000 (system screen removed due to copyright infringement)

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  A Wincor Nixdorf Procash 2100xe Frontload that was opened with an angle grinder

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  A BTMU ATM with a palm scanner (to the right of the screen)

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  ATMs that are exposed to the outside must be vandal- and weather-resistant.

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  Dunbar armored personnel watching over ATMs that have been installed in a van

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  Two NCR Personas 84 ATMs at a bank in Jersey dispensing two types of pound sterling banknotes: Bank of England on the left, and States of Jersey on the right

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  Gold vending ATM in New York City

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  A NCR Interactive Teller Machine running uGenius software

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  An ATM running Microsoft Windows that has crashed due to a peripheral component failure

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  ATM lineup

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  10 euro notes from an ATM robbery made unusable with red dye

See also

In Spanish: Cajero automático para niños