You left the money at the ATM? There's a chance to get it back! The abuse is 5 years in prison.

In the rush of everyday life, it is easy for a minute of distraction – just think for a minute and the money paid can stay in the ATM. This situation, though stressful, does not mean an automatic failure of resources. Modern ATMs are equipped with intelligent safety mechanisms that minimize risk. However, it is crucial to realize how these systems work and what should be done if cash does not scope our hands. Moreover, if individual else takes the money left behind, they must face serious legal consequences due to the fact that it is simply a criminal offence.

An ATM smarter than you think? Safety mechanism

Paying money from the ATM is almost automatic for many of us. We insert the card, we enter the PIN, we choice the amount and we wait for cash. However, fewer pay attention to the precise order in which the device operates. The ATM first returns the card, and only after it has been taken does it retreat the money. It's a deliberate and very clever safety mechanics designed by software manufacturers.

If the money were to go forward first, there would be a much better chance that we would rapidly catch the banknotes and leave, leaving a much more valuable payment card inside. Its reservation and creation of a fresh 1 is far more troublesome than the recovery of forgotten cash. In addition, the left card can be utilized by 3rd parties before we know it is missing, which could exposure us to far more losses than a fewer 100 gold cash. This simple order of action – first card, then money – is the first line of defence against our distraction.

You forgot your money? What to do erstwhile the ATM pulls them in

If you realize after a while that the money was left in the ATM feeder, don't panic. There is simply a good chance that everything will end well due to the fact that these devices have a built-in emergency procedure. erstwhile cash is not received from the feeder, the ATM will automatically drag it back in after a short time. How long can it take? Common 20 to 40 seconds. It's a key safety that prevents the next individual from taking money in line, and at the same time gives us an extra minute to get the cash out peacefully.

Once cash has been drawn through the ATM, funds should be automatically returned to your account. However, it is worth verifying the account balance in the mobile application or online banking after a fewer minutes and at the latest the next day. If the money does not return, delight contact the bank card publisher and file a complaint.

Someone took your money? It's extortion, not theft!

Unfortunately, it happens that individual standing behind us in line or passing by notices cash in the feeder and takes it before the ATM can undo it. In specified a situation, the substance becomes more serious. Legally, this is not a typical theft, and appropriation of property. Mispropriation is illegal inclusion of individual else's property. For specified an act, the conviction of imprisonment in Poland is up to 3 years, and in the case of property of considerable value – up to 5 years.

Examples of fresh months show that specified situations are being prosecuted and punished. In August 2024, in Mława, a 61-year-old woman, after an unsuccessful effort to pay 1,600 PLN, left the ATM, reasoning that the transaction had failed. But the money came, and the couple took it, which came next. Thanks to surveillance and net support footage, the police rapidly identified them and the perpetrators were threatened with 3 years in prison. A akin incidental occurred in May 2025 in Ostrów, where a man attempted to deposit PLN 3,000 in a deposit machine. The device returned the cash the 30-year-old took. He was detained and heard a charge of misappropriation, for which he was facing up to 5 years in prison.

In both cases, monitoring recordings and fast consequence of the victims proved crucial. If you fishy your money has been misappropriated, study the case to the police immediately, giving all the details. delight besides inform your bank about the situation. Remember that ATMs are monitored, which importantly increases the chances of identifying the perpetrator and recovering lost funds.

The ATM didn't spend the cash, but the account was empty? Act now!

Another equally stressful situation is erstwhile you execute a transaction, you hear a distinctive note count, the amount is blocked in your account, but the cash dispenser remains empty. This time, it is most likely an mistake of the ATM itself – a failure of the money-giving mechanism, a collapse of the banknotes in the device or simply an empty box with a given denomination. Whatever the reason, the procedure is crucial.

What to do step by step in this situation:

• Check your account immediately: Make certain the amount is actually blocked or downloaded from your account. The fastest way to do this is with a mobile bank app.
• Report complaint to the bank: Contact your bank as shortly as possible, preferably on the same day. Enter exact transaction details: date, time, amount and ATM recognition number (often on the screen or housing).
• Keep confirmation: If the ATM has printed out a transaction confirmation, keep it! This is the best proof that you tried to retreat money, but you didn't get it. It is always worth taking this "signal" just in case, especially erstwhile paying larger sums.
• Wait for consideration: The bank will launch a complaint procedure. In most cases, the money is returned to the account within a fewer working days, after checking the condition of the ATM. This process is standard and usually ends successfully for the customer.

Remember, fast consequence and accurate reporting of the problem is the key to getting your money back, whether forgotten, misappropriated or not issued by the machine.