What the 2026 FBI ATM Alert Means for Business Owners

On February 19, 2026, the FBI issued an alert about an increase in malware-enabled ATM jackpotting incidents across the United States. Jackpotting involves forcing an ATM to dispense cash outside an authorized withdrawal. FBI ATM alert

For a business hosting an ATM, the practical response is to review who can service the machine, who maintains it, and how staff report suspicious activity. The alert is not a finding that the ATM in your business has been compromised.

Confirm who is responsible for maintenance

Ask your provider who maintains the equipment and its software. If a repair or update is recommended, have the responsible team explain what applies to the exact machine and who is authorized to perform the work.

Do not ask staff to perform internal technical checks outside their role. A host business can maintain a clear reporting process while authorized professionals handle the machine itself.

For a new placement, include maintenance responsibility in the written proposal. If several organizations contribute to the arrangement, ask which contact coordinates the response so an urgent issue does not become a search for the right company.

Verify unexpected service visits

Agree on how technicians and cash-loading personnel identify themselves. Staff should know how to verify a visit through an established contact before granting access.

A uniform or a claim of an emergency repair should not replace the agreed verification process. If the scheduled visitor changes, ask how that change will be communicated.

Keep the process usable across shifts. The employee who handles the closing shift needs the same approved contact and instructions as the daytime manager. Review access arrangements when staff or management changes.

Review the physical location

Discuss mounting, customer privacy, lighting, and observation of the ATM area with the placement team. Avoid treating any single feature as a guarantee against theft or tampering.

Keep displays and stored items from obscuring the machine or blocking authorized access. Ask what visible changes staff should report and what the provider wants them to do while waiting for instructions.

If cameras are part of your existing security arrangements, discuss customer privacy and the ATM position with the responsible professionals. The goal is an appropriate installation, not unnecessary recording of sensitive transaction information.

Establish an incident procedure

Ask whom staff contact if they see damage, an unfamiliar attachment, an unexpected internal-access attempt, or unusual machine behavior. The procedure should explain when to stop directing customers to the ATM and who decides when it can return to service.

Do not investigate inside the machine or collect customer PINs. Preserve relevant observations and follow the responsible provider's instructions. If an incident creates an immediate danger, use the business's emergency procedure.

Also review responsibility for losses, investigation, repair, and insurance arrangements. These are contract questions that need answers specific to your placement.

Include security in a provider comparison

When comparing proposals, ask each provider the same questions about authorized access, maintenance, escalation, and responsibilities. Look for an explanation staff can actually follow.

ATMPlacements.com accepts ATM placement inquiries across the 48 contiguous states, with armored-carrier support and nationwide placement partnerships. The security and service arrangements for a proposed location should be discussed alongside cash loading and revenue terms.

Request an ATM placement review and describe whether you are adding a machine or reviewing an existing setup. Include security and service-access questions in the request so they become part of the proposal discussion.