AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, METHOD FOR INSTALLATION THEREOF, AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE THEFT

摘要

An anti-theft system (21) adapted to detect attempted theft from an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) (20) and to deface currency (46) housed within currency cassettes (44) in response to such attempt. The anti-theft system comprises at least one theft-detection sensor (41A, 41B) capable of activating a trigger signal (149), a source of pressurized gas (125) releasable in response to the trigger signal, and a reservoir (100) containing currency-defacing liquid (103) and connected to the pressurized gas source (123). The reservoir is adapted to release the liquid into a first liquid distribution system (148) upon the reservoir reaching a set pressure. A spray manifold (54) located within the currency cassette and connected to a second liquid distribution system (55) is adapted to forcibly discharge and distribute the liquid upon the currency. The first and second liquid distribution systems are coupled with a coupling device, which may be an automatic coupling device (170) adapted to connect the liquid distribution systems to one another automatically. Methods for preventing ATM theft and for retrofitting a pre-existing ATM with the system disclosed herein, as well as an ATM comprising such an anti-theft system, are also disclosed.