Tag Archive for: atm safety

ATM Security Facts: Debunking the “Montana Moose Heist”

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Knowing ATM security facts is important. Not only should ATM owners feel confident that their assets and customers are safe from thefts and attacks, but the public should know just how dumb it is to try to breach an ATM.

Earlier this month, a story about a moose breaking open an ATM machine and a bystander making it rich went viral. As funny as it sounds, it never actually happened. 

This post has everything it needs to attain viral status. In a world plagued by AI deepfakes and disinformation, it’s important to recognize the signs of fake news so that you can stay informed. Knowing some basic ATM security facts can help debunk this story, too. We understand the general public doesn’t know all of the ins and outs of ATM equipment. We wrote this article to help!

The Formula for a Viral Post

On November 2, 2025, StoryTime posted a fictional story titled “Moose Millionaire Made Overnight” accompanied by a likely fake image made to look like security footage. According to the post, a moose charged into an outdoor ATM, cash flew everywhere, and an opportunistic passerby made off with thousands in loose bills. Montanans joked that it was “the most Montana heist ever”—and people actually believed it. 

How can the authenticity of a story like this be verified? When researching the story, the lack of specific details, reports, and authority is telling. There are no police reports, no local news coverage, and no verified footage from any security camera. 

These days, it’s easy to create a “news clip” using AI-generated imagery and a fake article template. Add a heartwarming animal, a sensational dollar amount, and you’ve got a perfect storm of viral humor and misinformation.

People love the absurd, and a moose robbing an ATM hits all the right notes: wild, funny, and just plausible enough for a quick share. But the “Montana Moose Heist” also highlights a real issue for the ATM industry—public misunderstanding about ATM security.

5 ATM Security Facts

Fact #1: Modern ATMs Are Fortresses

The idea that an animal, or even a human without specialized tools, could physically breach an ATM is wildly unrealistic. Most ATMs are built from reinforced steel, feature vault doors with time-delay locks, and are bolted into concrete foundations. Even if a moose did charge, it would hit a wall of metal tougher than most vehicle bumpers.

Fact #2: Cash Cassettes Are Mini Vaults

Cash inside an ATM isn’t loose or easily accessible. Bills are stored in locked, removable cassettes, and every transaction or access attempt is digitally logged. In other words, you can’t just knock an ATM around and expect free money to fly out. Leave that to Hollywood and viral videos.

Fact #3: Every Access Point Is Monitored

Nearly all modern ATMs feature 24/7 video surveillance, both internal and external. Many are also equipped with GPS-tracked sensors, tamper alerts, and remote shutdown capabilities. If anything suspicious occurs, operators are alerted instantly, often before anyone on-site even notices a problem. So if the viral faked security image were real, there would be verifiable video evidence, too.

Fact #4: Real Threats Do Not Create Spectacle

While the “moose heist” makes for a great laugh, the real risks to ATMs come from skimming devices and malware. These threats aren’t funny. They are malicious attempts to create equipment malfunctions and steal customer data. 

While steel walls and high-tech locks secure ATMs physically, independent ATM deployers (IADs) and other business owners also take steps to protect the machines internally. They conduct regular inspections for overlays or hidden cameras, install skimmer detection technology, and use remote monitoring software. Although an ATM may look unattended, it certainly isn’t unmonitored. ATM machines are also strategically placed in well-lit, high traffic areas to prevent tampering and other ATM-related crimes.

Fact #5: ATM Machines Are Typically Not Filled to Capacity

The viral claim that someone scooped up $200,000 in loose cash after a moose rammed an ATM is highly implausible. Most retail ATMs (gas stations, convenience stores, small locations) typically hold $10,000 to $20,000 in cash. Bank-owned or high-traffic location ATMs may be loaded with higher amounts. Figures can range from $50,000 to $200,000 for such machines. 

However, actual typical loaded cash amounts are well below $200K, especially at retail locations. ATM withdrawal trends are monitored and cash is strategically stocked to meet customer needs while minimizing liability. 

So, a claim of someone grabbing $200,000 in loose cash spilling out of an ATM would imply that the machine held at or above the top-end of its theoretical capacity and that all of that cash was suddenly accessible/unsecured—both of which are extremely unlikely. Using a figure like $200,000 to lend plausibility to the “moose heist” narrative is very much at the outer limits (or beyond) of real ATM cash loads, something that should be a red-flag for readers.

Stories like the “Montana Moose Heist” may seem like harmless fun, but misinformation can sometimes lead customers to question ATM reliability or safety. Furthermore, it can be dangerous for someone to think that they themselves could breach an ATM machine.

That’s why it’s important for ATM operators and IADs to be proactive in educating customers about ATM security facts. View these viral moments as teachable opportunities. 

Outrageous ATM Stories That Actually Happened

Don’t worry—we don’t want to ruin all the fun! While the Montana Moose Heist is 100% fiction, there are plenty of real-life ATM incidents that sound almost as unbelievable.

The ATM That Spat Out $100 Bills Instead of $10s

In 2019, a Bank of America ATM in Houston made local news when a software glitch caused it to dispense $100 bills instead of $10s. Word spread fast, and a crowd formed before police eventually shut it down. Amazingly, the bank allowed customers who benefited from the glitch to keep the extra cash. Talk about winning the lottery!

ATM…Robbed?…with a Backhoe

How fortified are ATM machines? In Chicago in 2022, thieves stole a backhoe from a construction site then drove it 20 miles to a Chase Bank ATM where they used it to pry the ATM from its foundation and load it onto a truck. Workers later came to remove money out of the ATM. After all of that, it wasn’t obvious whether any money was actually stolen from the ATM. Does that answer your question?

It’s Raining Cash

In November 2021, the door of an armored truck reportedly unexpectedly opened in California on the Interstate 5 freeway near San Diego. Drivers stopped their cars to pick up the cash that fell out. California Highway Patrol Officer Jim Bettencourt said there were “free-floating bills all over the freeway.”

More recently, in April 2025 in Niagara Falls, a Brinks guard was opening a Bank of America ATM when gusty winds caught the bills and scattered the money. The guard gathered as much as he could, but others in the vicinity grabbed some of the bills and ran. A similar event occurred during a delivery in February in Abilene, Texas. 

Unfortunately, this is not a “finders keepers” situation. Unlike the Houston customers who got to keep their extra cash, those who collected stray bills from ATM deliveries are expected to return the cash to the proper authorities or face criminal charges if identified. 

Offline Loopholes

In 2011, Sydney cash machines experienced a glitch caused by the machines going offline. The problem affected more than 40 Commonwealth Bank cash machines. Operating in stand-by mode, the machines could not identify the account balances of customers. So, in some cases, customers who had little or no money were able to withdraw large sums of cash.

In the approximate five and a half hours the glitch lasted, word got out and as many as 50 people stood in line at one particular machine. Unfortunately, those who withdrew more funds than they had in their account overdrew their account. Every transaction was recorded, and bank customers were contacted to pay back the overdrawn funds. 

However, an Australian bartender noticed a glitch that was not overdrawing his account. He withdrew and spent $1.6 million in 5 months. Dan Saunders noticed a delay in the early hours of the morning when the ATM machine went offline and disconnected from the bank. Transferring money between accounts during the offline hours, he could withdraw large sums of cash without the accounts appearing overdrawn. Saunders spent one year in prison and returned to work in the hospitality industry after 18-months on a community corrections order.

These stories prove that while moose may not be cracking ATMs open anytime soon, the real world of cash machines is never boring. From software hiccups to heist attempts, every incident underscores why vigilance, maintenance, and security tech are so essential for ATM operators and IADs.

The Importance of ATM Security Facts

It turns out, even in the age of digital security and advanced surveillance, the internet is still easier to fool than an ATM vault. No, a moose didn’t rob an ATM in Montana. But the buzz is a reminder that ATM security facts should always be top of mind.

Whether it’s a wildlife rumor or a real-world attack, your ATM’s best defense is a combination of strong hardware, vigilant monitoring, and informed operators. Because while viral videos may come and go, ATM security is no joke.

5 Ways to Improve ATM Safety

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ATM safety is just as important as monitoring any other area where financial transactions are made or cash is kept. Where there is money, there will be thieves trying to get to it.

You don’t need to abandon your ATM business because of potential risks. It is no more vulnerable than any cash register anywhere. You simply need to remain aware of threats. Just like you know where your purse or wallet is at all times, or monitor your bank statements for unauthorized transactions, or keep your personal vault barricaded and locked, utilize this same diligence to improve ATM safety.

Make sure you take appropriate precautions and don’t cut any corners when it comes to securing your ATM machine. Follow these 5 ATM safety tips to ensure that your assets as well as your customers’ data remain secure.

Common Threats to ATM Safety

ATM safety threats apply to the ATM cash itself as well as to customer card information and account access. ATM attacks can be logical or physical. 

Physical Attacks

Physical attacks include equipment damages in an attempt to access the cash inside. Thieves can go as far as trying to remove or steal the entire machine from a location or even using explosives to breach the chassis, or front, of the machine.

Equipment attacks typically happen after hours when no one is around and pose little threat to customers. However, physical attacks can threaten customer safety in other ways. For example, customers can be robbed after making a withdrawal, or they can be forced to make withdrawals or give up financial information.

Physical attacks can also threaten customers through ATM tampering. Pinhole cameras, fake fronts, skimmers/shimmers, Lebanese loops, and counterfeit PIN pads are all ways thieves can gain access to customer bank cards and PINs and therefore access their accounts and funds.

Logical Attacks

Logical attacks, on the other hand, refer to software hacking. Some attackers attempt to infect ATMs with malware or hack into the ATM’s operating system to gain control over the machine and steal information or cash. This threatens customer data as well as the cash inside the ATM. Some hackers are content with collecting account numbers and PINs while others can cause the ATM to malfunction resulting in the emptying of the vault through seemingly legitimate transactions.

But don’t worry. Independent ATM breaches aren’t that common, especially if you take the right ATM safety precautions. First of all, the more fortified a machine is, the less likely someone is to try to breach it. The more time and effort a breach requires, the more risk that’s involved. Furthermore, experienced thieves know that independent ATM machines don’t hold enough cash to make the effort worth the risk.

5 Ways to Improve ATM Safety

Here are some ways you can improve ATM safety for both your business and your customers:

Utilize Surveillance

First and foremost is to have eyes on the machine at all times. Whether you place your machine in direct eyesight from the register or install security cameras or both, witnesses are sure to deter thieves. Your location may already have security cameras on the premises, or you can install your own fairly cheaply from retailers like Costco or Amazon (we recommend a two-camera system). If you have an outdoor machine, it might be in view of the cameras of neighboring businesses. 

Whatever the situation, it doesn’t hurt to put up a sign that alerts passersby that the machine is under video surveillance. This not only helps deter thieves, but it also makes customers more comfortable using your machine knowing that they are less likely to be approached. And if anything happens, it can be reassuring to know that there will be video evidence.

Some machines come equipped with a camera system as well. A standard feature of Genmega machines, for example, is the GenCam camera system. This allows customers (and criminals) to see themselves on screen. For criminals, this is a huge deterrent. They definitely don’t want their face captured and can see right away that it will be. For customers, they can better monitor their surroundings and protect themselves from “shoulder surfers”, attackers looking over their shoulder to observe their PIN as it’s entered.

Light ATM Area

Another simple way to improve ATM safety, deter crime, and increase customer comfortability is to make sure the ATM area is well-lit. The more attention your machine receives, the better. You don’t want users or thieves to feel obscured from the public eye. This can deter customers and embolden criminals.

You want the machine to be secured and barricaded, but not hidden. There is a fine line between securing and obscuring your machine. 

Secure Machine

To prevent some physical attacks, it’s important to make sure that your machine is secured. The harder it is to get to or move, the longer an attack will take, and the more risk that’s involved for thieves. Thieves looking for easy targets will likely move on if they see that your machine is properly secured.

This is why it is of the utmost importance that you bolt your machine to the ground. While some location owners might have some initial reservations about this, it only takes a couple of minutes to explain how important it is. Most machines don’t weigh too much more than a full-grown man, so if it isn’t bolted to the floor, it really won’t take much to jostle or remove the machine completely. 

Make sure that the machine is bolted to level ground so that no crowbars or other tools can be wedged between the machine and the floor. And after installing the machine, shove it on all sides to ensure that it doesn’t budge. Place the machine away from doors and windows if possible to prevent easy access to it after business hours.

You can further improve ATM safety by barricading the sides with other furniture that create even more obstacles to accessing the equipment. This is especially important in protecting your machine from logical attacks. You don’t want hackers to be able to access the mainboard and other internal electronics to manipulate the software or hardware. 

Inspect Machine

You want to regularly inspect your machine to identify any signs of tampering. When you vault and/or when cleaning your machine, run your hand over all surfaces feeling for any loose or bulky areas or anything that doesn’t feel normal. Fake fronts, Lebanese loops, and counterfeit PIN pads might not be recognizable to the untrained eye, but if you check your machine regularly, these modifications will become obvious. You might have to look a little harder to spot a pinhole camera, but if you know what you are looking for, it should only take a second each time you visit the machine.

Keep an Irregular Vaulting Schedule

Keeping an irregular vaulting schedule can improve your safety and the safety of your vault cash. You don’t want someone to be able to predict when you and your machine will be vulnerable. Try to vault outside of business hours to minimize the amount of foot traffic around you when vaulting. And invest in an eLock if your machine doesn’t already have one to minimize the time you spend at the machine when cash is vulnerable. 

Monitor Activity

Finally, be diligent with monitoring your ATM’s activity. Remote online monitoring makes this quick and easy. It’s something you can do from an app on your phone. Knowing what “normal” ATM activity looks like allows you to quickly recognize when something isn’t right. 

For example, if you notice an unusual increase in withdrawals or unusually high withdrawal amounts, this could be a sign that someone has hacked into the machine and caused it to malfunction. The sooner you identify the breach, the sooner you can address it and prevent further loss. 

Remote online monitoring can also alert you to any major shifts or blows to the ATM equipment. Getting this alert could be a sign of an attempted breach or removal of the machine. But you’ve got to know your machine(s) well to be able to identify any anomalies. However, you need to know this anyway to properly vault the machine, so just don’t take unusual activity lightly. If something seems off, check on it.

Conclusion

We didn’t write this article to make you nervous. We wrote it to help you think of threats you might not have considered before. Knowing possible vulnerabilities allows you to take the appropriate precautions and prevent disasters.

To identify possible weaknesses in your ATM security, put yourself in the shoes of criminals. Are there any areas that aren’t properly secured? Are there any “invitations” to breaching the machine? Then, put yourself in the shoes of your customers. Do you feel safe using the machine? Are there any witnesses? Is your financial information secure?

All it really takes to improve ATM safety is a little foresight and preparation. If you take your ATM safety seriously, you can consider yourself a challenging target and therefore less likely to experience theft or tampering.