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ATM Rage Suspect Sought Save Email Print
Customer takes out frustration on bank property
Posted: 10:37 PM Sep 7, 2008
Last Updated: 12:14 AM Sep 8, 2008
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

A | A | A

You've heard of road rage, now a different kind of temper tantrum that caused thousands of dollars in damage to an Omaha bank's automatic teller machine.

The helmet and shades hid the anger in his eyes, but clearly frustration built for a customer as an ATM kept spitting out his bank card.

"Right there you can see he hits the ATM, the screen shakes,” said Great Western banker Bryon Tenski, who added this is the second time this year that this particular ATM has been used a punching bag.

“It's not the ATM’s fault that you couldn't get the money or your card didn't work so don't abuse our ATM,” said Tenski.

The angry outburst caused $3,000 damage to the glass and electronic screen so the bank would like to identify the slugger. "We're hoping we can get some money recovered or at least get him prosecuted,” said Tenski.

The ATM had double pane glass in the front and judging by the shattered glass all the way through, you'd wonder if the angry card holder didn't break his hand in this fit of ATM rage.

“No, I wouldn't get that mad, but I could see how some could do it, especially nowadays it's a now thing, you want your money now,” said bank customer Rick Pedersen. “They get frustrated, can't get their money out, ATM rage, there you go."

To identify ATM vandalism another camera has been added at the 48th and L Great Western branch.

Automatic teller machines are impersonal bankers and though they have a screen instead of a face, you will be prosecuted for hitting one in a fit of rage. "Count to 10, take some deep breaths, jump around, whatever you got to do to control your anger," said Tenski.

The ATM card probably had a bad magnetic strip so the account number and identity didn't register. That's why Great Western Bank would like anyone who recognizes the angry customer from the security camera video to call 952-6000. He was on a motorcycle.

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Posted by: Stunt Man Mike on Sep 9, 2008 at 01:48 PM
to Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 02:34 PM: So when it comes to a customer complaint re: fees,add'l charges, etc. we can rest assured that customer service is on our side then, huh? Maybe hitting the machine is equal in its effectiveness to any other method one might consider...

Posted by: Donnie on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:24 AM
To Annonymous: You bank clerks must be cleaning up. Glad to know all of these outrageous fees are going for a good cause. It's funny though. As the fees go up the customer service gets worse. If our fees are paying your salaries, you would think we would get better service. Instead we get 20 minute lines on a Tuesday afternoon because there is one clerk working. Maybe we should try to get the problem resolved on the phone. What a joke! You will wait a half hour before you can even speak to an actual person. This isn't just one bank. I do business with four different banks and they all are horrible when it comes to customer service. You say to just go into the bank when you need cash. What if you need money at 9:30 at night? Banks are the worst. I am going to start burying my money in the backyard(address witheld).

Posted by: Mary O. on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Okay, the guy definitely has anger management issues. I hope he doesn't live with a wife and kids or even animals! And he definitely went way too far with his response. However, with that being said, the purpose of an ATM is to get your money NOW, so why shame him for that? I've had this happen to me at two unrelated banks at several locations. It is an inconvenience if you're on your way to meet some friends at a movie or for dinner. You have to find another location and be late or ask your friends if they'll lend you money. And, no, it's not a magnetic strip issue. My cards work fine at other locations. This is a bank issue and happens way too often. I think the ATM maintenance crew needs to check these machines more often and find out what the root cause is.

Posted by: Dan on Sep 8, 2008 at 05:56 PM
The bank should know when I am running low on money and come find me where ever I am and hand it over in person. (they should know how much I need too) This way, things like this would never happen. I am sure if Obama is president this is one of the changes he is talking about as well.

Posted by: Dave on Sep 8, 2008 at 03:59 PM
In this day and age of electronic maybe you could get a machine that dose not CONSTINTLY break down.I always have problems with my atm located at 30th and ames and they do NOTHING to fix it and its very frustrating .. Banks are lucky this dosent happpen more often

Posted by: Scared on Sep 8, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Geez, if he took that much Anger at a machine, what does he do to something that talks back? scares me to know, People all just have too much anger and just never learned how to CONTROL it! Get Help!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Everyone should know that an ATM is not always a fool proof machine. I also work at a bank and we constantly are yelled at by RUDE customers using the ATM. Maybe it was an instance where there were insufficient funds in HIS account. If you want cash, simply get out of the car and go inside to get it or go through the drive-thru. It's really not that hard! Oh and regarding the comment on the overdraft fees and such--thats how bank employees are paid. Those fees are often times used to help pay employees which is why you are charged for money orders, cashiers checks, overdraft fees and sometimes even to cash a check.

Posted by: llr on Sep 8, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Surely it's the BANK who is at least responsible for keeping the ATM filled with money? I too have had a problem with ATM's being out of cash...who's responsible for making sure they're filled at all times?!

Posted by: Mary on Sep 8, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I wonder if the darn ATM ate his card like it did mine. You don't say which bank. I bet I know. Visions of a baseball bat in my hand drifted through my mind and then I remembered that I had children in the car.:)

Posted by: Henry on Sep 8, 2008 at 12:26 PM
I had one of these poorly maintained and built machines eat my card a week ago (for a $3 fee too). Had to get a new card issued and change all my bank accounts, what a pain. I feel this man's frustration, although I don't agree with his vandalism; I bet he feels a lot better than I do wishing weeks later I'd smashed the dumb machine.

Posted by: Jamie on Sep 8, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Ummm.. please read the last paragraph of the article where it states that the name on the card didn't register, so the magnetic strip was probably bad... that's why they don't know who he is and it's also why the ATM kept spitting out his card. If the man is THAT frustrated, then the doofus needs to call his bank and GET A NEW CARD. Geesh.

Posted by: Tyler on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I work at a bank and will agree that the machines are not a perfect system. However, I don't think a lot of people realize that the banks don't own the ATM machines. They are contracted out by various companies, therefore, when the machine eats your cards, charges your fees, or just don't work. The bank is unable to assist with the problem because we don't own the machines. The best we can do is call the company and request that they do an immediate service. It's a bummer from about every angle.

Posted by: Lori on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I tend to agree with Donnie. The last three times I have tried to get money from the 1st National @ 90th & Fort, either their network has been down or the machine is out of money. Although this ticks me off to no end and frustrates me, no way would I ever take it out on the machine, however.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Poor guy. Bad magnetic strip or whatever, he obviously was in a very stressed situation - who knows why he needed the money? I hope they find him and prosecute him though, so he can learn from the consequences of acting out his anger. What if it had been a person??

Posted by: Joan on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Its funny when people offer tips on "just looking at the name on the card from the machine". Don't ya think they have already thought of that.

Posted by: SI on Sep 8, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Maybe if this person had money in the account the machine wouldn't stiff him ... stupid stupid stupid period.

Posted by: Wow on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:38 AM
And what did this accomplish for him? Nothing. I bet it didn't work at another location either. Idiot.

Posted by: Donnie on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:30 AM
I understand the guys frustration. I have wanted to take a baseball bat to the ATM machine on many occasions. Usually because I have waited for 20 minutes behind a line of people that haven't quite yet mastered the complexities of the ATM machine. Then, when it is finally my turn, guess what? The ATM is out of money. It clearly stated this on the screen, but because of , uumm, laguage barriers (Wells Fargo, 24th and L)it took the other people in line forever to figure this out. Now I am not saying that we should detroy property, but the banks should own up to the fact that they are not a perfect system. I once had my card eaten by a machine. The bank could not offer any reason amd took over a week to get my card back. Don't even get me started on their fees. I read that banks in the US made over 17 billion in overdraft fees alone last year. They can afford to fix their screens. They might try wiping them down every once in a while. YUCK!

Posted by: Lee on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:54 AM
wow... they didn't say what time of night this happened... i am sure that would help find him.

Posted by: Todd on Sep 8, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Anyone who gets mad at an inatimate objcet, just proved the object outsmarted him and he lost to the object...

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 06:38 AM
If this persons' card was rejected, wouldn't the records show the details of the card?

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 06:13 AM
can't you just found out what the name on the card is when he put in the machine, didn't scan it even though it rejected it?

Posted by: Bill on Sep 8, 2008 at 05:04 AM
I see this kind of vandalism several times a week. Maybe the bank can trace this guy's card - unless it is stolen.

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