What is a cash-deposit machine record?¶

A cash-deposit machine record documents an attempt to place cash or other accepted items into an account through a self-service terminal.

Avoid this assumption: The record proves who owned the cash or why it was deposited.

The machine may record the terminal ID, location, account or card used, date, time, amount declared, amount counted, transaction reference and deposit status.

It may also record rejected notes, suspected counterfeit items, envelope details, machine errors, adjustments or later verification by staff.

Some machines credit the account immediately. Others record a provisional amount pending counting or review.

The account holder is not necessarily the depositor. Another person may deposit cash into the account using a card, account number, deposit slip or other identifier.

CCTV may help identify who used the machine, but it does not prove ownership of the cash or knowledge of its source.

Preserve the complete deposit record, terminal details, timestamps, references and any provisional or adjusted amount.

Ask the operator whether the cash was counted automatically, verified later or subject to an exception.

Obtain CCTV quickly where available.

Compare the deposit with surrounding withdrawals, transfers, communications, receipts and onward movement.

Do not assume that a cash credit on the account proves the full amount entered the machine successfully.

Machine faults, rejected notes or later corrections may affect the final posting.

When reporting, distinguish the deposit attempt, amount accepted, account credited and identity of the user where established.

Operational takeaway¶

Use machine, account and CCTV records together to establish what was deposited, what was credited and who used the terminal, while treating ownership of the cash separately.