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VENDING MACHINE SECURITY
ISSUES
Vending equipment vandalism has been a problem ever since
vending machines were invented. However, in these modern
times, thieves and vandals have become more sophisticated in
their efforts to beat the machine.
Recently, vending thieves stole $2000 from 12 vending
machines at four hotels in
South Padre Island, TX before they got the attention of police
in that area. In Pascagoula, Mississippi. A storeowner
apprehended another vending thief while the thief was breaking
into their vending machine in broad daylight. The thief was in
such a hurry to run away
that he left his car behind, which made it easy for police to
find him later. In Ashtabula,
Ohio a vending machine thief was caught breaking into vending
machines and police found hundreds of dollars in coins on his
front seat. He also had numerous varieties of tools
for breaking and entering vending machines. Other recent
reported incidents occurred in Bridgeton, N.J; Saginaw,
Michigan; Tridelphia, West Virginia and many other states.
In some instances, entire vending machines are stolen.
The damage to vending machines
are sometimes staggering. The doors are pried open, coin
mechanisms, dollar bill acceptors with the bills in tact, money
pans, the money and the products in the vending machines are
stolen. The cost of some vandalized vending machines can cost a
vending operator anywhere from $50 to over $1000 per incident.
In one manufacturing plant, the employees decided to place the
beverage vending machine on a forklift and lifted the vending
machine to the ceiling and welded the machine to the ceiling
because they claim they lost 50c. They refused to bring the
machine down till they received their refund. We all have
stories that
we can remember about vending machine vandalism and theft. The
question is, what can be done to prevent or minimize such ugly
incidents from occurring? |
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One of the latest weapons against vending machine theft
and vandalism is the availability of charge card accessibility
and cashless vending technology. Smart cards are inserted into
the vending machines with special computerized debit style
utilization (with prepaid amounts downloaded on the card). These
are similar to the computerized plastic keys that hotels use to
program new key codes to enter the rooms after each guest checks
out. Vending machine alarm systems are also available in various
degrees of prevention and protection. |
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Some systems will sound a loud siren if the door is
opened without the proper code being entered. Other systems may
sound an alarm if the machine is tilted or roughed up. Some
systems are capable of taking a photo of the attendant every
time the door opens if the code is not entered or it can be
programmed to send a call to a security monitoring company
automatically. There are locations that feature vending machines
outside. Vending machine owners have the option of ordering
custom built vending machine security cages that are designed to
wrap around the vending machines allowing access only to the
small openings at the strategic areas designed for the insertion
of coins, receiving products, receiving change and pushing the
selection buttons. |
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These cages are available to protect either one side of the
machine or all six sides to include the top, bottom and four
sides of the vending machines depending on the level of security
concern. Other actions that may be taken to prevent or minimize
vending machine theft is the use of surveillance cameras, signs
on the machines indicating that money is removed once or twice
daily and signs that note prosecution for theft or vandalism.
High security locks, padlocks, security bars and other similar
precautions should not be underestimated. |
For a FREE INFO & PRICES on 100�s varieties of vending machines,
bulk, games, vending machine educational materials and more,
call Hanna Vending: 913 894 4979 or 800-397 8363 or visit us at:
www.hanna-vending.com
or email:
[email protected] |
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Hanna sells vending and
related equipment at factory direct wholesale
prices |
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