| | Banking : Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) | 
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A customer can withdraw money from his bank account by using his debit card in an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). ATMs are located outside banks and in other public areas.
To withdraw money the customer inserts his debit card into the appropriate slot on the ATM. The customer's card number is read automatically from the magnetic stripe on the card. The user must then type a four digit numeric password into the machine using a numeric keypad. This password is known as a Personal Identification Number or PIN.
The ATM sends the Card Number and PIN to the bank's central database using a modem and telephone line. This information is encrypted before it is sent to make it more difficult for hackers to steal it.
If the card number is valid (card not expired or stolen) and the PIN is correct then the customer will be given access to his account. If the PIN is incorrect then the customer is given two more attempts to enter it correctly. After three failed attempts the machine will confiscate the card.
An ATM has a menu driven user interface which can be used by customers with little or no experience of computers. By pressing buttons next to menu options displayed on the monitor a customer can access a number of services :
| 1. | Cash can be widthdrawn from a bank account. |
| 2. | The current balance of a bank account can be checked. |
| 3. | A list of the recent transactions on a bank account can be viewed. |
Some banks offer extra services at ATMs such as the ability to transfer money from one bank account to another.
GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004