Raiding ATMS

[DerbyBorn]

why aren't ATMs routinely fitted with devices to explode an indelible dye if they are attacked? Is it cost or Human Rights?

[Brian Gaff]

I don't know, maybe its invisible dye.

Back in the old days of Tomorrows World there were lots of these systems, however if somebody triggered it accidentally then there would be hell to pay. Brian

[The Natural Philosopher]

Incompetence.

[Tim+]

Good question. Simple tilt switch or other vibration sensor should be all that's needed.

Tim

[Nightjar]

You are about 16 years later than the industry with that idea. :-)

[Tim+]

Um, so why are ATMs still targeted? If the money inside is unusable you would have thought that the word would have spread.

Tim

[Huge]

Because thieves are stupid.

[Martin Brown]

A loud alarm and a dense fog of waxoline dye would be my recommendation after a ram raid against an ATM. FWIW in the 1990's the ones in Japan could be easily dismantled with the right screwdriver (I'm not kidding).

Interesting point - the new plastic money may not be tainted by the dye previously used in ATM cassettes like paper was. Thieves probably will be though. Increasingly dyes are used so that show only up under UV.

These days a lot of stuff is protected by DNA or rare earth based smart water that allows stolen goods to be traced back to source. Provided that is it is found before it is smelted with lots of other stuff.

[Nightjar]

Smart water seems to be preferred to coloured dye in dye packs these days and the crooks wouldn't be able to see that.