Using other touchscreens (ATM)

ATMs

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are now the most common way for people to do their cash banking, whether its withdrawing money, checking bank balances or paying in cheques.

There are many different models of ATM. All of them have a big display screen and many of them have touchscreens.

Those that don't, usually have a column of buttons to the left and right of the screen. Labels appear next to the buttons on the screen, and they usually change from screen to screen.

Logging on to an ATM

In order to do things with your bank account using an ATM, whether a touchscreen model or otherwise, you first have to identify yourself to it by logging on. To do that you need the plastic card (usually a debit card) issued by your bank and your Personal Identification Number, or PIN.

But before we log on, let's think about two things: your security, and the possible cost of using an ATM.

Security

You should only use an ATM where and when it is safe to do so. Good places are in shopping centres during normal shopping hours when there are plenty of people around. Another good place is in the foyer of your bank's branch if it has ATMs there.

The ATM will often recommend that you cover up your hand as you enter your PIN. That's to stop other people from seeing the PIN that you enter. There have also been instances where small cameras have been placed on or near ATMs to record PINs. So, covering the keypad with your hand when you enter your PIN is a good idea.

Costs

Your own bank's ATMs are free for you to use. Making a withdrawal from some other financial institution's ATMs, or from ATMs owned by separate businesses, can attract a fee. Often the fee is around $2.50. These ATMs will not proceed to issuing your cash until you confirm that you're prepared to pay the fee, so you should not be charged accidentally.

Most of the larger banks no longer charge fees, so if your own bank's ATM is not handy, you can try one of those.

Logging on step-by-step

1. Look for the slot where you will insert your card. It is often brightly lit to make it easy to find. It will usually have a picture of a banking card under it so that you can see which way around to insert yours.
2. Insert the card firmly but gently. Many ATMs will pull the card in after the first little bit. If you change your mind, you can press Cancel on the keypad and your card will be ejected.
3. After a pause while the ATM reads your card, it will invite you to enter your PIN. Enter the PIN using the physical buttons on the keypad and then press the Enter or OK key. Don't forget to cover your hand.
4. After the ATM checks your PIN, you will see a list of things you can do on the ATM. Generally, these will include withdrawing money, checking your balance and transferring money between accounts. Sometimes other options, such as making a deposit, are available.

Choosing options

If the ATM has physical buttons beside the screen, you will make selections using those, but an increasing number of ATMs have touchscreens. To select something, you tap an option.

Bank ATM touchscreens tend to be less sensitive than your phone's, and less versatile. You will be able to tap an option, but you won't be able to scroll or swipe on an ATM touchscreen. And because they are less sensitive you will probably need to tap more firmly.

Often, ATM touchscreens are a little slow to respond. When you tap an option on the screen and nothing happens, wait a second or two before you try again.

Withdrawing cash step-by-step

One main use of ATMs is to draw cash from your account. This is easy. Just remember to take it slowly, read the screen and tap the buttons firmly and deliberately.

1. Log on to an ATM as described above.
2. Tap on the Withdrawal button (it might be called something slightly different).

3. Tap on the Account type you want to withdraw from. The accounts offered on the screen depend on your bank and the way your accounts are organised. Often the options will be Cheque and Savings. Cheque does not necessarily mean that you have a chequing account. Sometimes second accounts are called that for historical reasons.
4. If you are not sure which account you wish to withdraw from, tap the Back button on the screen and then check the balances of the different accounts to help you decide.

5. The next step is to choose how much money to withdraw. Generally, the ATM will offer you a selection of fixed amounts ($20, $50, $100 and so on), plus an option to enter in an amount using the ATM's physical keypad.
6. Tap on the amount, or on the option to enter a different amount. Note: the ATMs typically dispense $20 and $50 notes, so you can only enter amounts which can be delivered in those notes. The ATM will let you know if you put in an amount it can't handle.
7. Tap the Enter button, or whatever button is provided to confirm the transaction. At this point, some ATMs will ask whether you want a printed receipt. Some include that question earlier in the process.
8. After a while, the ATM will pop your card back out and issue the cash and a receipt if you asked for it. Don't forget to take the cash and card.