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ATM theft rate in Guatemala drops with help of PIMA alarm systems

In the past few years, due to the financial recession, police authorities have reported a rise in ATM theft. The robbers would pull the whole machine, load it on a pick-up truck and carry it to a quiet place where they could break it open. The common explanation is that these ATMs proved to be an attractive target as stealing them is an easier crime to perform than bank robbery; it does not involve confronting anyone, can be performed late at night, and the robbers can still get substantial loot.

Customer needs

Both free-standing ATMs and those attached to a bank wall are accessible at all times and become a popular theft target after hours.

A major bank in Guatemala had a few hundred ATMs that had to be protected after hours. The Central Monitoring Station (CMS) looked for a solution that would provide both a notification upon the attempt to pull the ATM away, and a siren that may deter the thieves.

PIMA Hunter-Pro system installed in side of the ATM.

PIMA provided an integrated solution that used the Hunter-Pro intruder alarm system inside ATMs and connected them to the CMS via long-range radio, TCP/IP or GPRS transmitters. The multiple communication options provided backup for cases in which one channel would stop working.

The system was connected as follows:

1. Shock sensor – Installed inside the ATM to detect any attempt to move it or violently open it.

2. Heat detector – An alarm will occur upon sensing rapid temperature changes (which may be the result of an attempt to crack the ATM open using welding equipment).

3. A siren – Will produce a loud sound that will deter any potential thief.

4. Tamper detector – Installed between the ATM and the wall to which it is attached and to detect any attempt to pull the ATM away from its location.

The result is a security solution that integrates PIMA’s intruder alarm system offering alternative communication channels (Radio/GPRS/TCP/IP), various detection technologies and assures a quick and reliable way for the monitoring station to discover any theft attempt at the ATM location.

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