A nearby customer saw an elderly woman operating an ATM while on the phone and felt that she was “being instructed,” then alerted the counter staff. After the staff member spoke to her, the branch manager reported the matter to police, helping prevent an attempted fraud.
At the Kurayoshi Branch of Tottori Bank in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, a customer saw an elderly woman operating an ATM while talking on her mobile phone on 17 September. The customer reported that she might be receiving instructions over the phone.
When counter staff member Kotani Mizuki (小谷美摘) spoke to the woman, she anxiously explained that she did not fully understand the matter involving a “relief center” but needed to transfer money. The branch manager, who was nearby, then reported the matter to police.
In recognition of the response that day, the Kurayoshi Police Station of the Tottori Prefectural Police presented letters of appreciation to Kotani Mizuki (小谷美摘) and Isoe Tomoko (磯江友子). The station chief said the police would continue striving to serve customers with empathy.