So this just happened..

So something really bizarre(?) just happened to me. I was at the ATM doing my normal routine minding my own business when a man beside me starts asking me for help, an elderly man probably in his 70's, he was also blind(?) or had very poor eyesight, probably the latter because how else could he use the ATM? But as he stepped away from the machine, he was staring into blank space and making weird blinking mannerisms with his face. He didn't even turn to look at me, but he asks me if he has 20$ in his bank account and if I could withdraw it for him.

I looked and on the screen it said his balance was 3 million and some change. 3 million...

I was shocked at first, I thought I was being punk'd or something. I had to do a quick peripheral of my surroundings to make sure this wasn't some prank before I told him, "Sir, you have 3 million"

It took him a few seconds before he just asks me to withdraw 20$ for him again, not even commenting on the 3 million. I did a thorough scan of my surroundings again, because I thought for sure I was being punk'd.. I told him I didn't think it was a good idea and that he should probably get help from a teller. He then rudely asks me to retrieve his card for him, I didn't even want to do that, but after another quick peripheral I removed his card and gave it back to him.

I went straight to my car, which was parked about 20 feet away, I sat there and watched him for a moment as he quickly reinserted his card and started to use the ATM again. Not sure what he was doing, but it seemed like he was having trouble again until another young man showed up and started to use the ATM beside him. Surely enough, the man also asked him for help, I could see the confusion on his face too, he even did a quick peripheral of his surroundings. After a few words the young man started to use the machine, and that's when I got out of my car, just Incase.

As I made my way closer, I could see that he withdrew a single 20 dollar bill, and surely enough the old man took the bill, his card and the receipt, slowly put them all into his wallet and casually just walked away. He was definitely visually impaired to some degree.

Long story short, I approached the guy that was nice/brave enough to help and we kind of laughed and scratched our head at what just happened. He said he only helped because he was hoping it was some kind of test and thought he would be rewarded. I never looked at it that way, and needless to say I would've been kicking myself if that was the case considering what I was just doing at the ATM (bills bills bills). Lol..


And yes, 3 million and some change.


Still not sure what the hell just happened.

I tend not to be a tattle-tale.

But I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to just inform someone in authority. Be it cops or the bank.

These days there are so many scams out there.

How do you know it was his card. Did you see id?

a reply to: knowledgehunter0986

Man, thats insane!

Its hard to judge how one would act in this particular scenario, but im very glad that you stuck around to make sure the next guy didnt do anything stupid.

Congrats on being one of the good guys!

The guy could probably see somewhat but could not read the balance and may not have known how to work the machine properly. Maybe he was working with the police, maybe he was not blind at all. His reward may have been not being thrown into the slammer. It pays to be honest in a case like that.

Maybe the guy had someone elses card and did not want to have it look like he took the money out, the camera is right in front of the machine. But why not a hundred bucks, that would be more of a more reasonable theft.

There could have been a lot of possibilities to what was going on. It may be he just needed to get some cash to buy some thing orto catch a cab.

a reply to: crappiekat

Yea I didn't want to jump to any conclusions and call anyone yet, that's why I stayed back and watched him for a bit.

I just knew I didn't want to get involved, but also wanted to make sure nothing happened to him if he is indeed what he appears to be.

I'm not sure about anything else. He didn't seem like he was faking anything, that's why this whole thing was so bizarre..

a reply to: knowledgehunter0986

That is very strange indeed.

Maybe it *was* a test, to see if whoever helped him was going to *try* to withdraw a rather large amount or just simply withdraw the $20.

Weird.

Or maybe it was a scam, and this was a "test run" of sorts. Who knows...

originally posted by: knowledgehunter0986
But as he stepped away from the machine, he was staring into blank space and making weird blinking mannerisms with his face.

Have you ever heard of Blincam? glasses that take pictures with a wink or a blink...just think!!!

First off...
Kudos on you compassion, concern, honesty and moral character.

Secondly, it may have been exactly what it appeared to be...a confused wealthy old man, not necessarily in control of his faculties.

I would've handled the situation much as you had.

I'm not sure what to think, it could very well be any of the possibilities mentioned here.

Driving home I thought it might be some social experiment, I've seen some of those on TV before. So I wouldn't be surprised I end up on TV with a blurred face one day.

originally posted by: knowledgehunter0986
a reply to: crappiekat

Yea I didn't want to jump to any conclusions and call anyone yet, that's why I stayed back and watched him for a bit.

I just knew I didn't want to get involved, but also wanted to make sure nothing happened to him if he is indeed what he appears to be.

I'm not sure about anything else. He didn't seem like he was faking anything, that's why this whole thing was so bizarre..

Good for you helping the man out and sticking around a bit after. Of course everything at an atm is recored so your hind end is covered. I would guess he did suffer poor eye sight and maybe early stage Alzheimer's or something similar.
If he was a creep scammer I'm sure it will catch up with him.

originally posted by: knowledgehunter0986
I'm not sure what to think, it could very well be any of the possibilities mentioned here.

Driving home I thought it might be some social experiment, I've seen some of those on TV before. So I wouldn't be surprised I end up on TV with a blurred face one day.

Na, they usually only show the degenerates.

A weird situation to say the least. You handled it honorably.

a reply to: knowledgehunter0986

Mandela effect.

# is weird.

Kudos on sticking around and watching out for his welfare. Sometimes that is a quality I lack. Like the others have said, "Way to go!"

The guy must really trust people. My friend has a genetic disease and he has early onset glaucoma. I've signed his credit card bills for him before, walked him home, or to the next bar on some occasions! He plays guitar and we were in school together for a bit so I kind of look out for him. But a total stranger?! With the amount of down right thieves stealing box from people's doorsteps... very trusting.

There are braille markers on ATMs and they are also color coded. Take a closer look and you will see the tiny dots there. That is for the visually impaired.

Overall, thanks for the "weirdness" share!

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Thanks, but to be honest, I think I'm getting more credit than I deserve. I'm sure most of us here would've done the same thing under these circumstances.

I'd be lying if I said that 3 million wasn't dancing in my head the entire time. Even on my way home.. lol.

Eh.. I'd think you wouldn't have been able to withdraw it all from a single ATM.

originally posted by: WakeUpBeer
Eh.. I'd think you wouldn't have been able to withdraw it all from a single ATM.

Correct. There is a daily limit on ATMs that is in the hundreds of dollars, no matter how many million may show in the account.

a reply to: schuyler

Yea, the limit is only a thousand at a time at the ATM.

Don't think anyone would even attempt to withdraw 3 million.

originally posted by: WakeUpBeer
Eh.. I'd think you wouldn't have been able to withdraw it all from a single ATM.

Lies. Every ATM has at least 3 million cash should one have the funds and want to withdraw.

/sarc

a reply to: knowledgehunter0986


Lol. I once witnessed a very old man withdraw stacks of cash, like truly a ton of money. The man was tripping over the ropes and dropping money everywhere in the bank. He looked so confused. Finally, I mentioned to the man that maybe he should be escorted to his vehicle; and he politely declined before walking into another desk and dropping a ton more. I was just a customer, but I was worried about him, as this wasn't the best neighborhood either. I ended up completing my transaction, and as I was leaving, noticed he was walking out behind me still dropping cash everywhere.

I said a prayer for him to get to his car safely, as I couldn't stick around and watch out for him, I had to get back to work.

I thought the same thing at first, like this can't be real.

a reply to: knowledgehunter0986

I thought one bank can't hold that much in one bank? Is that possible to show on an ATM? I know usually funds are only insured up to to certain amount...like $10,000 or something. A lot of wealthy folks use more than one bank...

Can a balance even SHOW a million $$$$$$$....