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What to do if…
you cannot access cash because local ATMs are down or cash machines are empty

Short answer

Stop retrying the same ATM. Get cash another way (cash back at a store, a teller withdrawal at your bank/credit union, or a different ATM) and contact your bank/credit union if it looks like an outage or your card is being declined.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep attempting withdrawals repeatedly (you can trigger security blocks or hit daily limits).
  • Don’t use a random, poorly located ATM because you’re desperate (higher risk of skimmers, scams, and high fees).
  • Don’t let anyone “help” you at the ATM or at the register while you enter your PIN.
  • Don’t share your PIN, even if someone says they’re staff.
  • Don’t take a credit-card cash advance impulsively if you haven’t checked the fees and interest.

What to do now

  1. Figure out whether it’s the ATM or your card/account.

    • If you can, check your bank/credit union app for balance and alerts.
    • Try a small purchase at a normal merchant to confirm your card still works.
    • If it’s just one ATM, try one other ATM in a different location (preferably at a bank branch or a well-known retailer). Avoid repeated attempts.

  2. Get cash back at a store register (often fastest).

    • Many grocery/drug stores and big retailers offer cash back with a debit purchase.
    • You’ll usually need to choose DEBIT (not CREDIT) and enter your PIN.
    • Before you approve, confirm the cash-back limit and any fee (some retailers charge fees for cash back).

  3. Go to your bank or credit union branch and withdraw with a teller.

    • If ATMs are empty or offline, a staffed branch can often help you withdraw cash or explain what’s happening.
    • Bring photo ID and your card if you have it.

  4. If this seems like an outage, contact your bank/credit union and follow outage-safe steps. Ask them:

    • whether there’s a known outage affecting ATM withdrawals or your account access,
    • whether your card has been blocked for security reasons,
    • what other ways you can access funds right now (teller withdrawal, alternate ATM network options, any bank-specific access method). Then:
    • Double-check automatic payments you rely on (rent, utilities, loan payments).
    • Ask the bank to reverse fees caused by the outage (for example, late/overdraft/insufficient-funds fees tied to access problems).
    • Watch for fraud or unusual transactions during and after the disruption.

  5. Use non-cash fallbacks for urgent essentials (to buy time).

    • Pay by card/contactless for necessities if possible.
    • If you need to pay a person, ask if they can accept a bank-to-bank transfer or another traceable electronic payment instead of cash.

  6. If the ATM account shows a withdrawal but cash didn’t dispense (or the amount was wrong), treat it as an ATM error.

    • Keep the receipt (or note the ATM location, time, and amount).
    • Call your bank/credit union immediately.
    • If the ATM is not owned by your bank/credit union, also contact the ATM owner/operator and report the error.

What can wait

  • You do not need to close accounts, cancel cards, or move all your money today.
  • You do not need to withdraw a large amount the moment ATMs come back — focus on the next 24–48 hours.
  • You do not need to file complaints right now; just keep basic notes in case you need them.

Important reassurance

ATM outages and empty machines happen — especially during local events, storms, payroll weekends, or technical issues. There are usually multiple safe ways to access money without “chasing” ATMs.

Scope note

These are first steps for stabilizing the situation and avoiding expensive or risky decisions. If the problem persists or causes fees/missed payments, you may need to follow up with your bank/credit union (and possibly escalate) later.

Important note

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Policies vary by bank, card network, and retailer, and outages can change quickly. If you feel unsafe while trying to get cash, leave and try a different option.

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