STRATEGIC PARTNERS
June 26, 2003
BELFAST, Ireland and ABERDEEN, Scotland -- Customers got an unexpected windfall when two bank ATMs began dispensing extra cash in recent incidents in the UK and Ireland.
In Belfast, an Abbey National ATM began dispensing twice the amount of money requested by users on June 14. Dozens of customers lined up at the ATM after word spread, according to a report in the Belfast Telegraph.
Abbey National spokeswoman Morag Fleming confirmed that the machine dispensed extra cash for several hours until the bank was notified and took the machine offline. She said many customers took the high road.
"We can't say exactly how much money was involved. But it was not a significant amount," Fleming told the Telegraph. "People have already been bringing the extra money they got, back to the bank. They have been very good about it. We obviously have honest customers!"
For those who were less honest, Fleming said, "We will look into the transactions log and, if there are any multiple transactions, the bank will be in contact with those people."
In a separate incident, Lloyds TSB closed down an ATM at an Aberdeen branch on June 20 after it was found to be giving out extra £10 ($16.47 U.S.) notes.
According to a BBC News report, a late night queue formed at the ATM when word spread.
Some customers also reportedly received less than they requested.
The fault only came to light when a member of the public called police to say the ATM was giving out the wrong money to customers.
A team of bank investigators is still trying to determine how much money was paid out in error by the rogue cash machine, according to the BBC.
