Revisiting the Problem of Robberies Near Automated Teller Machines

As the World of Technology has shifted, so has the way we conduct personal finances. Automated Teller Machines, or ATMs for short, offer convenience and simplicity to users to quickly manage their money (Hannah et al., 2016; Ashby & Thorpe, 2017). Crimes of opportunity do present themselves in the context of ATMs when an offender and a viable target collide (Ashby & Thorpe, 2017).

A United Kingdom study analyzing how individuals protect themselves while using ATMs brings to light environmental factors that impact circumstance of targeting ATMs for crime. Studies of crime and place around ATMs have shed light on location and its effect on other crime types (Hannah et al., 2016). To learn more about light and its effects on crime, NPSC has created a blog outlining streetlighting and its effects on crime here: Can Enhanced LED Street Lighting Contribute to Reduce Violent Crime? — Newark Public Safety Collaborative (newarkcollaborative.org). Factors identified by Kinney et al., (2008) and Cozens (2009), as mentioned in Hannah et al., (2016), include building designs, and street layouts. Furthermore, the same article referring to the work of Bernasco and Block (2011), cites proximity to bars, vacant buildings, and schools to affect patterns of robberies.  

Other security risks like cyber attacks and skimming exist in addition to physical victimization of crime such as a robbery after a withdrawal (Hannah et al., 2016). In a survey conducted by Richard Hudak, 53% of crimes against persons were robberies after cash had been withdrawn. Of the violent crime that did not occur on bank premises, 52% were in business districts, 13% in residential neighborhoods, and mixed use areas accounted for 15%. Lastly, according to research by Scott (2001), ATM related robberies are more prevalent during nighttime between 12 am and 4 am.

Existing ATM security measures include CCTV surveillance, and verification of transactions. While these methods reduce ATM fraud, external factors such as lighting, visibility, zoning, land use, and target hardening affect perceptions of safety (Hannah et al., 2016). Brian Browdie in the American Banker found that a study conducted by Verizon, that physical tampering encompassed 61% of security threats. One different method of targeting crimes related to ATMs is, “Jackpotting” which involves a phony staged maintenance to install malware and later withdrawing funds (Crosman, 2018).

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new trend in crime was identified. According to Ward (2020), the Los Angeles Police Department saw a 70% increase in crime reported at ATMs when compared to the previous year. While many people and businesses are under lockdown, crime connected to ATMs have increased. 

NPSC is committed to assist Newarkers through its Data Informed Community Engagement (DICE) approach to public safety. The study of the environmental conditions that lead to crime are at the forefront of NPSC efforts to combat violent crime and property crime in the city of Newark.

References

Ashby, M. P. J., & Thorpe, A. (2017). Self-guardianship at automated teller machines. Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 19(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-016-0010-3

Browdie, B. (2012). ATMs May be Top Targets for Crime: Verizon Report. The American Banker, 177(165).

Crosman, P. (2018). ATM thieves target stand-alone machines in “jackpotting” scheme. The American Banker, 183(20).

Hannah, C., Srinivas, T., & Subbaiyan, G. (2016). The Impact of Design and Placement of ATM Deployments on Perceived Safety in India. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 11(1), 1-16. https://login.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/login?url= ?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy.libraries.rutgers.edu/scholarly-journals/impact-design-placement-atm-deployments-on/docview/1800742392/se-2?accountid=13626

Scott, M. (2001). Robbery at ATM. Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series Problem; Specific Guides Series. No. 8. New York

Ward, E. (2020, November 25). Crime at ATM machines spikes During COVID. Crosstown. https://xtown.la/2020/11/18/rise-atm-crime-covid/.