If you’re planning to take out some cash to splurge on Black Friday today, make sure your chosen ATM actually still exists. ABN AMRO has shut down dozens of its ATMs around the country after a series of heists, otherwise known as ‘plofkraken’.
We personally think that the Dutchies are somewhat to blame for this series of heists, given how absolutely adorable their word for them is. Plofkraken. Who doesn’t want to rob a bank after hearing that word?
(It might be just that I’m a poor student but we’re leaving that aside, ok? Ok.)
Temporary ATM closures
Anyway, leaving aside my aspirations of criminality, ABN AMRO has said that its decision to close dozens of ATM machines around the country is only temporary, while they look for safer locations to house them in. There have been 60 heists this year already on ATM machines, according to NOS, which is a 40 percent increase on last year.
Heists cause damage to the local area
Heists are obviously pretty disruptive when they take place in residential or commercial areas: the thieves usually leave significant damage behind. A recent heist in Zaandam, for example, left the facades of a shop and apartments in need of repair. Obviously, when this happens, residents don’t want the ATM to come back- so ABN AMRO and other banks clearly need to start reconsidering where they place them.
Have you noticed ATMs being shut down near you? Let us know in the comments below.
Feature image: Peggy_Marco/Pixabay.