STRATEGIC PARTNERS
March 13, 2003
FARGO, N.D. -- A haywire ATM spit out extra cash but three honest bank customers ignored temptation and returned the free money, according to an Associated Press report.
"All I wanted was $20 to go to the movie," said Mary Davidson. "Then $20 bills just started shooting out of the machine."
In total, Davidson got $125.
Barb Hofland's first attempt to withdraw $100 from the ATM on March 10 failed. On her second try, she pulled out her $100 -- plus an extra $100.
"I thought I could go shopping, but I couldn't. It wasn't my money," she said.
A third unidentified customer also turned $80 back in, bank officials said.
"It was like being in Las Vegas without all the lights and whistles," said Marietta Rasmussen, a Ramsey National Bank supervisor.
Rasmussen said the incident proves North Dakotans are largely honest people.
"I'm glad we're in North Dakota," she said. "Somebody out East or West may not have had our same values."
The bank discovered that cold temperatures had caused the ATM cash door to stick so some customers who tried to withdraw money could not get it. The door opened for other customers, who then wound up with their cash and the cash belonging to the previous customers.
Rasmussen said the machine has been fixed.
