Tips on Solo Use of ATM

Head to the nearest restroom or head back to your hotel room, and secure it inside your money belt. Never expose your money belt even at the ATM machine.

I travel alone often and I have never been that worried about it, honestly. Many times banks have enclosed "rooms" where the ATM is located, or I use one in a bank lobby. And I never immediately put the cash in my moneybelt because that would draw attention to the fact that I have one. I just put in it a pocket or purse until I can get to an out-of-sight location to deal with the moneybelt. Just be aware of your surroundings and you should be fine.

NEVER expose that money belt. Don't understand why people do that. My preference is to use ATMs attached to the bank and even better if they have a same room which is fairly common. I take the money, after counting, roll it pretty tight and hold in my fist as I turn around to see if anyone is watch. Then very casually slip that hand into a pocket as I work away. Then it is to a water closet or the hotel room or somewhere equally private so I can put the money away. It is easily done. And Dennis was classic example of someone was not wearing or handling his money belt in the proper way.

Methinks Frank meant: "And Dennis was classic example of someone (who) was (NOT?!?) wearing or handling his money belt in the proper way." Diane, if you come across an ATM and want to use it, just go somewhere - a shop, restroom, somewhere - and as discreetly as possible get your ATM card. That may be the (deserted) dairy aisle at the corner store, a quiet (closed) doorway (make it look like you're digging through your daybag), or make note of the locations of ATMs you come across and be prepared for one of them...later. You can put your ATM card somewhere else in the meantime - chest jacket pocket, in your pocket with your hand holding it, etc. For the big bundle of cash, just do the reverse - I do what Frank does even when down the street from my house. DO count it, but somewhere else. IF you do what many of us try to do and use an ATM physically attached to a bank, you can go inside and count it there and put it away. Banks won't allow loiterers (aka thieves) to just hang around their cash tills in their lobbies...anybody there is handling business. If on the street, I just roll it up in my hand and stroll quickly and purposefully down the street and deal with it later. I think the main thing is to be As Discreet As Possible, and Be As Quick As Possible. Don't make a big production out of this. Thieves are looking for the awkward, clumsy, confused, slow tourist. Act like you know what you're doing ;-)

1. I typically start the day with the ATM card in my wallet. 2. Go to ATM, stick money in front pocket. Keep hand on money until.... 3. Go to restroom, stick money in money belt. Also I only do this during the day in areas that seems somewhat safe. Being I carry three different ATM cards from three different banks. I am not super concerned about the possibility that the one in my wallet might get stolen. I try to avoid this but am not super concerned about not having an ATM card out of my money belt.

Diane, As the others have mentioned, do not expose the location of your Money Belt when you're using an ATM. While the machines are often located inside an enclosed foyer, the walls are usually glass so anyone can see what you're doing. I normally place the cash into an inside pocket, one that's not easily accessible to "prying fingers". I wait until I get back to the Hotel to transfer it to the Money Belt. One other point to mention is that it would be a good idea to plan ATM withdrawals during the day time, when there are lots of people around.

I'm taking the contrary view and suggesting not to worry. Obviously one always should be reasonable aware of your suroundings and if you feel uncomfortable, move along. But "muggings" are very rare in Europe and a safely secured money belt is pretty hard to pick-pocket even if the thief does know where it is. They are looking for easy pickins. And you're going to use it at restaurants, stores, musuems, etc... So an ATM shouldn't be any different.

No, Douglas, you should NOT be using it at restaurants, etc. You should NEVER publicly access the money belt. If you need cash at a restaurant or wherever, you should retrieve it in a restroom. It's not supposed to be used as a wallet. That's how the guy on the Paris thread got robbed - publicly accessing his money belt.

Thanks folks, I really appreciate the suggestions. I don't use my moneybelt for day cash use. In the past, most of my ATM withdrawals have occurred in the presence of my travel buddies - usually we body block the person at the ATM who is able to make the transaction and then discretely and quickly put the card and money into the money belt. We have all carried our day wallets with our daily money transferred from the money belt into the day wallet. If there is a big purchase planned or not, the money is removed discretely and privately. Often, I have found ATM's to be very far from my hotel or I am between hotels when I need access to cash. This trip I will be making some large withdrawals without the benefit of a travel buddy so your suggestions have been very helpful. When I have been by myself, it is rare that I am able to discretely and quickly put the cash and card back into the money belt standing at the ATM and keeping a look out behind me. I have also told people who stand too close to me when I am in the middle of an ATM transaction to back away (in German because it is the language I am most comfortable with other than English). People understand and back away - but it is that gap between getting the cash and putting it away that was causing me some concern. Bottom line - I will clutch the cash and card in my hand stuffed into a pocket until I have private space to discretely put things away. Eileen - I like the suggestion of the old dairy aisle trick. :-) Also, I just used Google Earth for the first time and discovered a BNP Paribas ATM about a block from my first hotel - that is helpful to know.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and prefered practices. I would just point out that this site is usually pretty good about softening the paranoia that often occurs amongst new and in-frequent European tourists. Use caution. Use a moneybelt. But sneaking off to the bathroom or your hotel (all the while holding a bundle of cash in your hand or pocket) is overkill for something that would be a highly rare occurance. I do carry a wallet and keep a small amount of spending money in it for conveinence. But for larger sums or credit cards or at the ATM, I get out my money belt without worry or ever a hassle or incident. Most people I know do the same.

About the only thing I don't like about wearing a money belt is actually having to access it. I'm a woman and I find it seriously immodest to have to lift up my blouse and fumble around with a zipper and expose all my money and valuables in the process. But sometimes you have little choice in the matter if you're not near a restroom or other form of privacy. I just bite the bullet and do the best I can. I think in most cases it is not that dangerous, once you've re-zipped the money belt and gotten it re-situated under your clothing. I don't think most thieves can actually access it at that point. The only danger would be armed robbery at gunpoint, which I think is quite rare. Oh, and the potential consequences of not wearing a money belt are grave enough that despite my discomfort, I will always use one!

Also, if you're traveling alone, don't use an ATM at a bank that is closed if you can help it. If the bank is open, at least you can go in and talk to someone, if the machine eats your card or doesn't give you any cash. shouldn't happen, but you never know. I am of the always -wear -the -money-belt group.
If you are in a city, and there is nowhere to access your moneybelt; go into a clothing store and pretend to try on a piece of clothing in a private dressing room for a few minutes,in order to get at your moneybelt.

If I have to use an ATM, I make sure that I have either one zipped pocket OR an inside pocket on whatever I'm wearing that day. I get the money out of the machine and put it straight in that pocket. I then leave the area smartly, making sure nobody is following me.
I do that as a matter of course, whether on vacation or at home.

James: I agree and would guess that the odds of being shorted by the ATM are higher than a thief waiting to rip the cash from your hands as you walk away. But both are rare (I have been shorted by an ATM in Rome).

James - I'll admit my computer acronym ignorance out loud - What is a BAMF? Is it possible to actually spell it w/o saying the seven deadly words? Is there a reference to a matriarchal figure? :-) I have not been shorted but once the ATM gave me extra cash ($100) not reflected on my receipt or debited from my balance. The bank attached to the machine was just closing - metal bars coming down. . . . I tried to give the money back but was refused admittance until I exclaimed loudly that I would be very happy to keep the bank's extra cash. The doors parted . . . . Will just continue to remain alert at ATMs and work on my mastery of some Secret Squirrel maneuvers.

BAMF

Michael, Thank you for the link. I have been educated.

Yes, me too! Have never encountered the acronym BAMF before (altho have met some of the real thing). BTW, I do count the cash before stowing it. It only takes a second to count and I do it before leaving the machine.

Here in the States I have sometimes just used my card in the bank, at a teller, to get cash. Wouldn't it be possible to do the same in Europe? You then avoid any possible skimmers or lurkers, can count your cash, and squirrel it away before leaving the bank.

I keep my daily cash inside a front pocket and don't worry about it too much. If I lose it, it's a shame but not a deal breaker. My money belt is for keeping all the things I can't afford to lose. If I need to access it during the day, I go to a restroom or other private place - and look around carefully before I leave lest something accidentally fell out.

For me personally, assuming there isn't anyone close enough to bump into me (and snag my money in the process, like on a busy street) I wouldn't be too worried about people seeing my moneybelt. I don't view my moneybelt primarily as a way to hide money, but rather a device that makes it impossible for pickpockets to quickly get-at my money. For someone to get my moneybelt they would really have to dig-into my pants AND it would take them a long time. The moneybelt just means that while they have their hand down my pants I have plenty of time to beat the tar out of them.

I've returned and wanted to say that, despite this being my 11th trip to Europe since 2002, I got caught up in a wave of "pick pocket paranoia" prior to my trip. I found an ATM in Paris across the street from my hotel (Google Earth), got my money, counted it discretely - no one was near me, put it in the zipped pocket in my purse which I wore cross body facing me, walked back to the hotel and put it in my money belt. It was too darn hot for me to wear the belt so I just wore it when I was in transit between hotels - otherwise it was locked away. The rest of the time I used my travel wallet containing whatever I was comfortable with losing should I have been pick pocketed. I saw one pick pocket on the Metro. An attractive young woman targeted a local businessman as he was entering the Metro car near a door next to the door I used. When she reached for his stuff, he yelled at her and he yelled for Securite. She jumped out of the Metro door near him, jumped onto the Metro door in front of me - we made eye contact - but I think I looked like a BAMF (pardon my language) and she immediately jumped off the Metro. The "deaf" folks left me alone after I said "Non" firmly. Bottom line - be aware of your surroundings and be prepared. I will remind myself not to be so paranoid in the future.

I have to know,, what is BAMF mean,,??PM someone please dying of curiosity ,, or just post one or two of words,, is the B for big?

Bad A** Mother F*****

At home, I grab my money, debit card, and receipt and stuff all into a pocket before leaving the ATM. I do the same in Europe. I have never been short-changed at an ATM. I count the money and put it away later in a private place. For daily cash, I use my regular wallet and coin purse. These I carry in a small purse or pockets. It pays to plan ahead and have the cash situation figured out before leaving your hotel room. It took several trips and awkward displays of my money belt before I figured out my system. In Paris, there are many BNP Paribas banks. I locate my neighborhood bank and visit that one. I really like the ATMs that give a choice of a variety of denomination of bills. That way you can avoid the 100s if you want smaller bills. The 100s are useful when paying hotel bills, but nowhere else that I've found.

Wife and I just got back from Europe, and I never used a money belt. I used one for a day 3 years ago on our first trip, and gave it up as it was too hot for me. I keep my wallet in a jacket front breast pocket that has a hidden zipper on the side. Withdrew 100 Euros or 125 pounds whenever needed. Barclays Bank in London had a branch two minutes walk from our apartment, and I got all my London cash from there. Was told by Bank of America that if I wanted I could get cash from inside the bank at the tellers window, but I never needed to. Never had any issues with pick pockets or saw anyone suspicious in Amsterdam or London. I am just as on guard in downtown Seattle as I am anywhere in the world, and frankly I feel that London and Amsterdam are safer overall to walk around in than Seattle is anyway. I walk with a purpose and stay alert at all times when traveling and walking through any city. One time in London a week ago wife and I were transiting through Piccadilly Circus and some street performer asked my wife for 2 minutes of her time and I just said "NO" and we kept walking.

I don't use a money belt, but never had a problem or felt like I was risking anything.....alert but not worried. If you do want to wear it, don't EVER expose it. It kind of defeats the purpose and is rather awkward. That's one of the reasons I don't wear one. One of my suggestions would be not to take out large sums of money - if you are using cash, take smaller amounts out more often. It's a small increase in service charges, but I think it's safer and no less convenient (if you're in an urban area, there are lots of ATMs around).

Taking smaller amounts out more often both increases your fees (in some cases, depending on your bank, it could increase them dramatically), and also exposes you to more risk because you are going to the ATM more often. I fail to see how it would be either safer or more convenient.

Yes, it's not more convenient to visit ATMs more often, but it's also not less convenient given how easy they are to find.. As for safer -- I think it's safer to carry less cash around, and that was directed specifically to Diane's original post that talked about handling "the large bundle of money you've just removed". As for service charges, it's variable depending on your bank....For me, service charges for using an international ATMs are minimal. I don't feel unsafe using ATMs - if I do, I don't use them ;) I also think visiting ATMs more frequently is much more convenient that wearing a money belt - though I use my credit card more often than cash when I'm in Europe. If I have extra cash, it's in my hotel room safe, along with my passport.