THE WORLD'S TOP TWENTY TIPS FOR ATM USE

Tired of paying $1, $2 or more for using other financial institution's ATMs?  Use the links below to find a surcharge-free ATM convenient to you!  There are over a thousand surcharge free ATM's in the Maryland-Virginia-DC region alone! 
Note:  7-11 and WAWA convenience stores offer no-surcharge access to their ATM's.

Visa Check card or ATM card purchases at any merchant may be made as often as you like without a LM Federal fee. Unlike many banks, there is never a LM Federal fee for purchases made with your access card. You may also get cash back above the purchase amount at most food stores. (Cash back is not counted as an ATM withdrawal).  

ONLINE LINKS TO SEARCH FOR ATM'S THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES: We recommend that you start your search using the Co-op link.

Co-op Network: Use this link to find both surcharge free ATM's and ATM's owned by other Credit Union's through which you may deposit funds to your LM Federal accounts. Over 25,000 surcharge free ATM's are listed. These include 7-11 convenience stores and ATM's owned by many Credit Unions.
        http://www.co-opnetwork.org/public/Consumers/find_atm/index.cfm

Star Network: Use this link to find surcharge free ATM's owned by Credit Unions and other financial institutions.
        http://www.star.com/?go=atmLocator.start

    To conduct a search with the Star network, enter your address, select a search radius, check the  
     option for "Star Surcharge Free Participation" and click "Submit" to receive a list of ATMs.   You
     may also search for ATM's participating in the "Shared Deposit ATM" program.  Just enter your
     address and check the appropriate option to receive a list of atm's in your area where you may
     make a deposit. 

Note:  no-surcharge participation by the ATM owner is voluntary and may change without notice.

THE WORLD'S TOP TWENTY TIPS FOR ATM USE:

Choosing an ATM:

Tip 1:  Where possible, use ATMs with which you are most familiar.  Alternatively, choose well-lit, well-placed ATMs where you feel comfortable.

Tip 2:  Scan the whole ATM area before you approach it.  Avoid using the ATM altogether if there are any suspicious-looking individuals around or if it looks too isolated or unsafe.

Tip 3:  Avoid opening your purse, bag or wallet while in the queue for the ATM.  Have your card ready in your hand before you approach the ATM.

Tip 4:  Notice if anything looks unusal or suspicious about the ATM indicating it might have been altered.  If the ATM appears to have any attachments to the card slot or key pad, do not use it.  Check for unusal instructions on the display screen and for suspicious blank screens.  If you suspect that the ATM has been interfered with, proceed to another ATM and inform the bank.

Tip 5:  Avoid ATMs which have messages or signs fixed to them indicating that the screen directions have been changed, especially if the message is posted over the card reader.  Banks and other ATM owners will not put up messages directing you to specific ATMs, nor would they direct you to use an ATM which has been altered.

Using an ATM:

Tip 6:  Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you at an ATM, even if your card is stuck or your are experiencing difficulty with the transaction.  You should not allow anyone to distact you while you are at the ATM.

Tip 7:  Check that other individuals in the queue keep an acceptable distance from you.  Be on the look-out for individuals who might be watching you enter your PIN.

Tip 8:  Stand close to the ATM and shield the keypad with your hand when keying in your PIN (you may wish to use the knuckle of your middle finger to key in the PIN).

Tip 9:  Follow the instructions on the display screen, e.g. do not key in your PIN until the ATM requests you to do so.

Tip 10:  If you feel the ATM is not working normally, press the Cancel key and withdraw your card and then proceed to another ATM, reporting the matter to your financial institution.

Tip 11:  Never force your card into the card slot.

Tip 12:  Keep your printed transaction record so that you can compare your ATM receipts to your monthly statement.

Tip 13:  If your card gets jammed, retained or lost, or if you are interfered with at an ATM, report this immediately to the bank and/or police using the help line provided or nearest phone.

Tip 14:  Do not be in a hurry during the transaction, and carefully secure your card and cash in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving the ATM.

Managing Your ATM Use:

Tip 15:  Memorize your PIN.  If you must write it down, do so in a disguised manner and never carry it with your card.

Tip 16:  NEVER disclose your PIN to anyone, whether to a family member, stranger, or police.

Tip 17:  Do not use obvious and guessable numbers for your PIN like your date of birth.

Tip 18:  Change your PIN periodically.  If you think it may have been compromised, change it immediately.

Tip 19:  Set your daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch at levels you consider reasonable.

Tip 20:  Regularly check your account balance and bank statements and report any discrepancies to your bank immediately.