In the early 1970's, Citibank of New York City became one of the first financial institutions to install ATM's on a large scale. Since then, the{{U}} (1) {{/U}}of automated teller machines has increased dramatically. At the time, the bank hoped{{U}} (2) {{/U}}their operating costs by replacing human tellers with machines. Little did they{{U}} (3) {{/U}}that the cash machines would become so successful. However, as more banks added{{U}} (4) {{/U}}automated service through ATM's, the machines mushroomed all over the world.
To use an ATM, all you need is a{{U}} (5) {{/U}}issued by your bank. Your bank may also{{U}} (6) {{/U}}through a credit card, such as MasterCard or Visa. To begin a{{U}} (7) {{/U}}, you need to insert the card into an ATM and punch in a personal identification number on the{{U}} (8) {{/U}}. The personal ID number may consist of{{U}} (9) {{/U}}and can prevent anyone from using the card.
The ATM next flashes instructions on its{{U}} (10) {{/U}}for carrying out transaction. To get cash, for example, you are instructed to{{U}} (11) {{/U}}that indicate whether the money should be withdrawn from a checking or a savings account and the{{U}} (12) {{/U}}. This request is then displayed on the screen. After you press a button to{{U}} (13) {{/U}}that the information is correct, the ATM goes to{{U}} (14) {{/U}}.
How safe, you may ask, is banking by ATM? The{{U}} (15) {{/U}}is meant to prevent anyone, no matter who you are, from using a cash card{{U}} (16) {{/U}}. If you enter the wrong ID number for a card, a message on the screen will{{U}} (17) {{/U}}. If you fail to produce the correct number for three times, most machines will{{U}} (18) {{/U}}.As another precaution against{{U}} (19) {{/U}}, the bank generally limits the amount that may be withdrawn by cash card{{U}} (20) {{/U}}, say, to $ 200.