‘Generous’ Bank ATM dispenses double the money withdrawn

Putaendo - There is only one ATM in the small town of Putaendo in Chile and for about three hours in the past weekend it began delivering twice the amount requested to those who came to the branch of the National State Bank to withdraw money.

An error when loading the drawers of the Automated Teller Machine located in the branch of the State Bank (BancoEstado) in the town of Putaendo in Chile (14,000 inhabitants) resulted in the machine mistakenly delivering double the amount of money (in total about 5 million Chilean pesos [CLP] , equivalent to over US$ 10,500) to various customers who made withdrawals from the cash dispenser. The unexpected situation was a real surprise for many when they realized that the machine was giving out double the money requested. Several customers were tempted and made numerous, consecutive operations. They also told their friends and neighbours who quickly came to branch to take advantage of the ATM’s generosity. Unfortunately, the "gift" had been the result of a mistake of José Beiza, an employee of the State Bank of Putaendo with over 20 years of service and an impeccable service record, who loaded notes of CLP 10,000 in the drawer for notes of CLP 5,000, reports ElAconcagua (in Spanish). The mistake could cost José Beiza reimbursing the bank for the extra money dispensed, and possibly his job. Through the local media he made a desperate appeal to customers to whom the ATM gave the extra money asking them to bring it back. So far, several customers have reacted and about half the amount has been recovered, according to PutaendoInforma (in Spanish). Beiza is confident that thanks to the ATM register and video from security cameras, most of the bank´s customers who received double the amount of money withdrawn, will be located.