Cash Machine failed to give me my money

totheseasons

Hey,

I recently made a withdrawal from a cash machine but the machine failed to give me the money. I've spoken to my bank and they've informed me that they are sorting out the problem and I should receive my money bank within 28 days.

Is it standard procedure for it take so long? Are the bank allowed to keep me waiting for my money?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

maninthestreet

how long have you been waiting?
This happened to me once about 10 years ago, I got the money credited back to my account in a week or so.

totheseasons

It happened last thursday, so it's only been a few days. It was a large amount withdrawn, so I don't want this to drag out, that's all.

john_s_2

A couple of years ago I failed to take the cash in time (I was tipsy). I couldn't see where it had come out (it was an unfamiliar cash machine - honest!) and by the time I found it, it suddenly got sucked back in. When I phoned my bank the next day they told me it would take a while as it wasn't one of their machines, but sure enough, after about a week it got credited back. Hope you get it sorted.

Kim32958

I cannot believe they would say 28 days. Surely they have ways of knowing it went wrong. I would be asking for someone higher up to talk to. That is just far too long for resolution.

Willman_Rodders

I suspect the bank are building a buffer into their timing so as not to build up your hopes.

When I worked for a high street bank we could tell the next day if our branch cash machine had short changed somebody, and with a little research who. The problem became more difficult when the machine was offsite i.e. at the local supermarket or motorway service station - here the security firm staff would balance these and then supply us with the papers (usually in a bit of a mess); we could still identify where the error was but it took more time. I would guess that these smaller machines [now located in pubs, newsagents] would possible take even longer to find the error as they may well not be balanced daily.

Then, having found the error, the bank/shop/provider/till balancer will have to arrange for payment to come through to your account. This traditionally takes a couple of days, so you may need to add in a weekend. So, that gives 7 or so days.

These timings are based on the assumption that there was only one or two errors by the machine. When the internal printer roll failed to print and you had multiple discrepancies then resolving the errors became far more onerous. On somedays I would have to have a team of 3 people working on the task; possible in my days, but not so easy these days where staff numbers have been reduced to a near skeleton level.

If the lack of cash is causing you cashflow problems I'd talk to your bank to see if they can help in the interim.

dunstonh

If the machine used isnt the one at the branch where your account is held or even a different bank then it can take closer to 28 days. If its the own branch machine you would expect it quicker.

totheseasons

I would like to thank everyone for replying to my post. You've been very helpful. The cash machine I used belonged to a different bank, so I guess that is why they are stating a longer duration (as many of you have suggested).

Thanks again for your words of wisdom, they certainly have calmed me down about the matter. If anyone has any other information to post it would be highly appreciated.

Cheers guys.

sarahpeck

You will get your money back as the machine would have logged the transaction that 'purged'. (A transaction that is incomplete is classed as purged. Either the cash didn't get dispensed or it was dispensed and you didn't collect within the alloted time) If you had used your own bank or branch the refund would have taken place very quickly (normally 24 to 48 hours). The timescale given is probably because you used a different bank and there would be inter bank transactions made to complete your refund.

Stompa

I had this happen once. The machine went through the usual routine, except when it said 'please take your cash' no money came out. In my case my account balance remained unchanged, as if the transaction had simply never occurred.

[Deleted User]

I was ripped off by a Woolwich ATM in Stansted Airport departure lounge back in 2004. What happened was, I took out £300 but only received £280 in twenties!! I complained about it to Woolwich Building Society but have never had a response from them. To save myself from a lot of aggravation, I simply gave up, knowing I'd most likely waste me time.
:mad: :mad: :mad: