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ATMs are linked to computers that will give you money from your bank account. ATM means Automated Teller Machine. An ATM is also a place where you can deposit your money into the bank. Tellers in a bank are humans but an Automated Teller is just a machine. The good thing about these machines is that they are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ATMs are inside and outside banks, in stores, airports, and many other places, too. They are all over the world!

When you open a savings or checking account in a bank, you will be asked whether you want a debit card. You need a debit card to take money out of or put money into an ATM. Debit cards look just like credit cards and, just like credit cards, they can be used in stores to buy things. When you use it in a store, it takes the money out of your account right away—just like getting cash from an ATM does. An important thing to remember is: Keep the card safe so no one else can use it!

ATMs are linked to computers that are linked to your bank. The debit card or credit card that you put into the ATM sends your account numbers to your bank so that the ATM knows how much money you have in your accounts. You have to have money in your bank account in order to take money out. That makes sense, right? It is very important to keep track of what you take out of a checking account. If you forget to write it down in your check register, you might write a check and think you have more money in the account than you really do. When that happens, you might overdraft and the bank charges you extra money for doing that. No one wants to lose their money!

1.	Look at the ATM machine carefully because there are little things that could be different about them. For example, sometimes you need to put your card in a slot and it is pulled inside the machine and given back to you later. With other machines, you quickly put it in the slot and pull it back out again. There is a picture of where the stripe on the back of the card needs to be when you put your card in. Follow the direction and put in the card.
2.	The first screen will ask for your PIN number. A PIN number is your very own Personal Identification Number. The bank lets you decide what this number is and it is usually four numbers in length. It is important to pick one that won’t be easy to figure out and that you can remember. It is not a good idea to pick one like your phone number or your birthday that someone could figure out if they knew your name. When you put in your PIN number, the computer will call your bank to see if your Pin is right.
3.	The ATM will show a screen asking if you want a receipt. A receipt is a small piece of paper that tells how much money you took out of (or put in) the account. You should say yes because you will need this paper to remind you to write the amount in your check register when you get home.
4.	The machine will start and a screen will come up that asks you what you want to do. It asks you if you want to do a withdrawal from your savings account, withdrawal from your checking account, a deposit, or want to find out how much money you have in your account. You push the button next to what you want to do.
5.	If you wanted to take money out, the next screen will ask you how much money. Some machines will only let you take it out in $20.00 steps. For example: you could take out $20.00, $40.00, $60.00, etc. Some machines let you take it out in $10.00 amounts. For example: You could take out $10.00, $20.00, $30.00 etc. Quick cash is usually $60.00. When you decide what you want, you push the button next to it. Remember: you can’t take out money if you have no money in the account. You can’t take out $20.00 when you only have $10.00 in the account. The computer that is still connected to your bank will find out if you have enough money in your bank to do what you want. If you don’t, it will cancel out the transaction. If you need to deposit money, there will be envelopes for you to fill out and put your money in.
6.	If you check how much money you have in the bank, remember that this doesn’t include checks you might have written that the bank hasn’t gotten yet. For example: You had $20.00. If you wrote a check today for $10.00, there really wasn’t enough time for the bank to take it out of your account yet. Sometimes it takes a week for this to happen. So, if you went to the ATM, your balance might still say $20.00 because the bank doesn’t know about your $10.00 check yet. If you take out the $20.00, your check will bounce and then it gets ugly. Click here to find out how checking accounts work.
7.	The next screen will ask you if you want to do anything else. Push the button next to your answer.
8.	When you are done, the receipt will come out of a slot on the machine. Your card will come out if the ATM is one that pulls in your card. Make sure you have the receipt AND the card when you leave the ATM.

1.	Never tell anyone your PIN number. Don’t write it down and put it in your wallet with the card. If someone stole your wallet, they would be able to get into your account and take all of your money.
2.	Choose an ATM that is in a safe place and make sure no one is watching you at the machine. If you feel unsafe or that someone is too close to you as you are using the ATM, cancel out and leave. Make sure you have your card when you leave.
3.	Even if you feel that no one is watching you use the card, cover the number pad when you put in your PIN. It is also a good idea to stand right in front of and close to the ATM so that no one can see what you are doing.
4.	If you need to count the cash, stand close to the ATM so that your body hides the money from anyone who might be looking. Put the money away right away!