ATMs closed at night

Banco de Costa Rica (BCR by its initials in Spanish) and Bancrédito will restrict their ATM service at night to protect customers from robberies. ATMs will be blocked between 10 p. m. and 5 a. m.

In the case of the BCR, the restriction was implemented last night, while the Bancrédito will implement it tomorrow. In both cases, the measure is for an indefinite period.

This decision joins the measure announced by the Banco Nacional (National Bank,) which will also limit the use of its ATMs beginning tomorrow night.

The BCR had been applying a similar (in part) measure since last year, the difference being that it only applied to ATMs in areas considered high risk. Beginning last night, the measured was applied to its 408 ATMs located throughout the national territory.

“This is not new. The BCR was the first to consider closing its ATMs at night within its security measures,” said Mario Rivera, interim manager of the BCR.

In that entity, ATM nightly transactions represent between 7 and 8% of the total daily movements.

In Costa Rica, by disabling the cashiers during part of the night and early morning, the banks seek to minimize the risk of their customers going through so-called “paseos millonarios (Millionaire Trip)” robberies.

This is what the retention of a person or persons while raiding money from their ATM cards is called.

This type of crime has become fashionable in recent months. Up to and including Nov. 7, there were 36 such cases just in the greater metropolitan area.

“We are in a season when the amount of money in circulation is very high, so that financial institutions should join efforts to protect their customers,” Arnoldo Trejos, assistant manager at Bancrédito said in a statement.

Banks urged their customers and the general public to use debit cards and credit as a means of payment and reduce the use of cash.

It also recommended for customers not to expose their physical integrity by making cash withdrawals at ATMs at night.

The team at TicosLand.com has two opinions regarding this measure. On the one hand, it is a good way to provide security to customers, trying to protect their money and physical integrity in this way. But on the other hand, it means a continued restriction in the freedom of action of the people. It demonstrates to the criminals that we must continue to hide and lessen our possibilities of action. If one does not have cash at the night and needs to take it out of the bank, it will no longer be possible.