If money just started coming out of ATM after person walked away-what would u do

By Amy
Abernathy, Texas
August 21, 2007 7:50pm CST
If you were waiting at an ATM and say the person in front of you was having trouble and then just walked away. After he left, money would start coming out. How would you react - run after him? Take the money and run? What if you were sitting next to someone and they left their purse - or the person walking in front of you dropped a bank envelope - you know the kind they give you for cash - you pick it up and note its full - the person never even turns around - what would you do?
6 people like this
24 responses
@taylorblue (1286)
• Canada
22 Aug 07
I had this happen to me at the grocery store. IT was a self checkout and a guy left his 20 behind. I could have really used that 20 that week because we were short on money but I couldn't be dishonest and take it. So I gave it to a cashier to give to him when he came back. I hate myself for not keeping it...it could have bought us so many groceries!
2 people like this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
This happened to me to - in a grocery store and it was far more then twenty. I took the money and ran after the guy, he tried to avoid me at first thinking I was some crazy girl I'm sure! He was glad he got the money back. It was just my first thought - first impulse - who knows what I would do if I had lots of time to think about it. Its happened often too that people will drop tens or twenties on the sidewalk and I let them know. Thanks for being an honest person taylor - even though later you thought you should've taken it. I adore your avatar - love cats of all sizes and kinds!
1 person likes this
• Canada
22 Aug 07
You know if I knew that I there was no way they could have figured it out it may have been different. But in the end being honest is better. Maybe it was the last guys 20 too...you never know. THanks for the compliment of the tiger...I love white tigers and have since I was a little girl!
1 person likes this
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
22 Aug 07
"far more then twenty" did you leave this one for me, Artemis? =D
2 people like this
• Portugal
22 Aug 07
i just cannot pick money and run... i know myself and i would feel soo bad for doing such a thing, i know im not a saint but thats one thing i could never do! i wouldnt stop thinking about it and feeling bad with myself ... i would feel guilty like stolen! besides i feel so happy and warm inside when i give someone something they thought lost that it pays better than money...
2 people like this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
It does pay better. And being empathetic I imagine what it would be like if I lost that money - especially if I really needed it or it was hard earned. I'm glad there are people like you in the world.
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
:)
• Portugal
22 Aug 07
oh thanks for ur kind words!! yeah its hard to think that money came out of long hours of work and it can be the difference between eating one day and not eating at all... it just make me even happier to run after someone to return their money!! :D feels much better:)
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
22 Aug 07
I would try to chase and reach that person and hand over his money to him. In fact, it has happened with me twice or thrice that a person forgot his debit card in the ATM, next was I in queue, I collected the card and chased that fellow and handed him his card.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58673)
• Delhi, India
5 Sep 07
Thanks!
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
good for you!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
22 Aug 07
What I will do is to call his attention OUT LOUD and get the money because if I run after him immediately while the money is still being dispensed out of the machine, somebody might just grab it and run away. If somebody left their purse or dropped a bank envelope, same thing: I'll IMMEDIATELY call the person's attention OUT LOUD. =)
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
When this happened to me, I tried that but he didn't pay attention, so I just had to run after him - he was shopping anyway so he couldn't go that far! Again I think its great there are people like you in the world - and I love your name - what's the meaning behind it - I think I'll also have to go to your profile to see what your avatar is - can't make out what the picture is.
• Philippines
23 Aug 07
thank you! the virtue of honesty is something that was taught to me since i was a kid. my mom used to tell me to admit my mistakes even when it means i'll get spanked for it, that i've got nothing to be ashamed of if i've nothing to hide, that we should always return what we borrow and not take what clearly isn't ours. i use "dreamleaper" because i'm someone who's willing to take a leap to catch my dreams. also, my biggest seemingly "unreachable" dream is to have a Jaguar car -- i really love 'the leaper' on the hood.. my profile picture's caption goes: "cubed or diced? how you look at things is how you look at life." =)
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
22 Aug 07
I've had this sort of situation far too many times, even once in the city a man left his wallet behind at a stall. I was due to go home that afternoon (I live 8 hours away from Sydney), but I stayed an extra day to meet up with him to give him back his wallet, after looking him up in the phone book =] I didn't look through any further than his license, but it turned out that he has $2000 in there! I can safely say that he was thankful =P I always call out, and if all else fails, I run after them like a crazy person! There's no way I'd take their money, I believe in karma and I wouldn't want anything like this to happen to me - I'd want someone to have the decency to return my money or items to me. =D
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
Far more than twenty. I feel the same, I try my best always to put myself in another's shoes. Can you imagine what he was feeling before you called? If you were staying at a hotel, did he offer to pay for the extra night you stayed?
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
25 Aug 07
He did ask, but we were staying with relatives, so it was no biggy. If I had been paying for my stay, I may have accepted some compensation, but generally I wouldn't - not for an act of common decency =D *wears tiara*
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
26 Aug 07
You prolly won't read this, but I agree about not accepting money for an act of common decency. Thats why I think kind acts shouldn't be gushed over - if they were more 'common' we wouldn't be gushing.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I'd return it if it was money, and yes I would use an outloud method. I've been running into more and more people just leaving valuables behind (epidemic? ;p). Other situations where there's a loose dollar or change and there is absolutely no way to trace who its from, then in that case its finders keepers. Again there are some cases where the bank envelope isn't full of money but its a payment or a paycheck deposit. In that case, there's always the night deposit box. It's better than just leaving it for some clown to steal/deface. If its a wallet/purse scenario there is always the bank lost and found. Even if you are at a remote station, the ATM belongs to a bank somewhere. If it was night, I would try to hide the wallet/purse so the typical ATM user wouldn't think to look and therefore not find it. The forgetful person however would be looking extra hard for it, and they'll search the ATM/general area in a thorough manner. This is also an option for withdraw envelopes. And yes I do realize that all ATMs are made unequal and this may not work with some of them. Another option (especially when its later/nighttime) I'll go to the police and inform them of the situation (yea being a guy it takes some convincing I'm no crook, luckily I'm not a thug so cops give me some benefit of the doubt). The police can handle it with a simple phone call, plus the person who lost their wallet/purse would be reassured since it's law enforcement calling them to return the item to owner. If I personally tried to return it after so much time has elapsed the situation would be "awkward" to say the least. I wonder though, would anyone really appreciate the latter effort?
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
26 Aug 07
I agree - from loose change being finders keepers to what you say about personally trying to return it - anything missing you get blamed. Thanks for having common decency.
• Abernathy, Texas
26 Aug 07
Yes I was pointing it out I guess that I agree -:)
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Well your second point about the return. That was part of the "awkward" I was referring to.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
If I could still call the attention of the person I would definitely call him back. Its his/her money not mine so he deserves to get those money. But then if the person involve is not around anymore I might just as well try to contact the bank if they could do something to return it to his account but if it could not be traceable I think its meant for me already since I could not trace who that money is for.
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
26 Aug 07
You're right the bank could trace the money if they're at an ATM - from the camara. Thank you for being a virtuous person and thinking of the other person - not yourself~
@men82in (1268)
• India
26 Aug 07
Whatsoever things dropped by anybody in my notice or in my sight I will hand over the things to the person nearby the lost place, so that anybody can if searched can get easily from the things lost place. If for atm hand over to the particular area of the atms branch. so the person can be contacted for the lost purposes.
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
26 Aug 07
men82in, I commend you for being a good person and being willing to do the right thing. Thanks for participating in my discussion!
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Aug 07
I would run after that person or call very loudly, "You dropped your purse!" or "You forgot to pick up your money!" If the person dropped their envelope, I would pick it up and hand it to them. I cannot imagine anyone not doing anything else. I used to be very shy and nervous, and even I had enough gumption to return the money to the owner. And even if he or she had disappeared long ago, I would go to the manager of the bank or whatever and explain the situation They might know who it belongs to. Besides, the money is not mine to keep.
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
Your participation is appreciated. I think its wonderful ou were able overcome your shyness back then for the moment to do the right thing.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Aug 07
What you give out comes back to you...I say this since if it was the other way around, I would hope the person behind me was honest enough to run after me to give me the money...So yes, I would go after the person and give them the money to them
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
Absolutely. What we give out comes back ten fold. Besides, its important for us to think of others - to imagine ourselves in their place, not do things because we will be rewarded or punished. Thank you for being yet another perosn who is willing to think of others not just yourself.
• India
23 Aug 07
Hi! 'Honesty is the Best Policy' & I strongly believe & follow it. I would do my best to return what is not mine to the original owner ,whatever it may be...money or anything.To share with you one of my experiences....One day in my shop, the first customer, a lady bought some stuff for Rs478/- or so & she gave me 5notes of RS500/-each thinking it o be Rs100/-each.I stared at the notes in my hand for a few seconds, & asked her if she is giving me a LOTTERY eary in the morning?She is still not realizing & asking me ..WHY?When I returned back the notes, she was dumbstruck.She thanked me before she left & blessed me.These small things will definitely help in big ways in LIFE. GOD BLESS!! www.creatingcolourfulfuture.com
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
wow, so honest of you. congratulations for having the strength and strong moral fiber to be a good person.
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
22 Aug 07
If it had just happened and the person that dropped the money were still around, my first instinct would be to tell them they dropped their money. that money could have been for anything and could've been their last. I'd like to be like good things come to those that do good deeds. Now if I was walking and just seen a $20 on the ground and nobody was remotely close for it to be theirs. I would probably pick it up. I don't know if that's wrong.
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
I was just thinking if you saw it fall. If its just a five dollar bill laying there and no one around it might be different.
23 Aug 07
the 1st thing i would do is to call out his attention loud enough, and if it hapen that he could not hear, i will just pack all money and run after him but if it also happen that i cant find him, god's knows as christian i would give it to the police or rather give it to the church or give it to beggers and tell everyone who i gave to pray so hard for that person. but my question for you is that, what of if you were recieveing a phone call at his back and he left and a min later after he left, you are done talking to your freind and then the money start coming out. auswer the question without using any of my mine.
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
23 Aug 07
I'm sorry gregory, I'm not sure I understand the question. How would finishing a phone call change my mind? As I wrote in my discussion and or/my answers to some replies, I ran after this one guy. If I ran after and couldn't find him - ATMS have camaras and would be able to identify who came before me. Therefore, the police would be able to track him and return his money. Gregory - I'm so glad to find another good person.
• Canada
6 Sep 07
Well they say you reap your karmic reward, so i would have to do the right thing and give it to them. if they were long gone I would write my infor on the envelope and give it to a teller or something. One time i went to a store to buy some snacks and had a can of pop in my hand, after i walked out i realised that he never charged me for it. i went back inside and payed for it...
• Abernathy, Texas
10 Sep 07
You must have great karma darkangel. I'm wondering why you write your info on the envelope - hoping for a thanks? :)
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
22 Aug 07
To be perfectly honest I wouldnt take it. Its not my money to take. I would have to report it tho the authorites. I could not live with myself if I didnt. Im a honest person which they arent too many of us around anymore!
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
Terryz - you're so right - not too many honest people around. I love your avatar - is that your dog?
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
22 Aug 07
Honestly, I'd turn it in. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. AT PEACE WITHIN
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
twoey thanks for the response - and well just for being you. I wonder how many would turn it in.
• China
22 Aug 07
When I meet such thing,I think I will run after him. If I couldn't,I will give it to police or a bank offical.Even I'm very poor that time,I won't take it.Because it doesn't belong to me.If I take it,I will have money,and I will lose myself.
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
Love your avatar, mandaashir. Where did you find it? How eloquently you expressed it, "If I take it, I will have the money, I will lose myself. " Thank you for responding - and existing.
@maehan (1439)
• United States
22 Aug 07
Oh, I will chase after the person if he/she did not walk far away. But, if the person is no where to be seen, I will give it to the nearest police post. It did happen to me when I am back in Singapore, I picked a tote bag with purse, handphone and some other stuff. Thus, I get to the nearest police post and get the police for help.
1 person likes this
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
That's such a good gesture. I suppose, even if the money had no identifying info - the police could put up signs - of course you could too but it would take time. You have to hope the police are ethical. Of course, by then, you've done the right thing.
• India
22 Aug 07
i pray the god because....he let another person insted of me to become a fool...and i wil keep the money...in my pocket...
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
Thanks for your honesty ravi and for the unique way of putting it.
• India
23 Aug 07
iknow that karma would play with me some day i m not worried about it because i have a positive attitude , i think positivly,i think only the good that favours me
• United States
22 Aug 07
well as for the person at the atm, i probly would have got the money and ran after him to give it to him. (mainly cause of the camera that would capture me taking the money) and for the person walking in front of me who dropped the bank envelope. i probly would have kept that. lol
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 07
I was waiting for someone to mention the camara!