elderly in banks

[almostfinished]

Several times recently I have been standing in a queue at the bank and witnessed very frail elderly people withdrawing large sums of cash. In each case the customer has announced very loudly the amount they are withdrawing and the cashier has counted it out conspicuously before shoving it across to them. I was very alarmed at this as I thought it would make them vulnerable to mugging. Is there not a way that cash could be handed over more discreetly in banks?

Well there's two ways of looking at this. A lot of elderley people might struggle with hearing or eyesight and so if the cashier is discreet then they won't have clearly heard or seen the money being counted out. A lot of elderley people worry that they are being taken advantage of so they want to see it loud and clear. Having said that maybe a lot of elderley people are cringing at the cashier and hoping that nobody is waiting to mug them.

I was very alarmed at this as I thought it would make them vulnerable to mugging.

I'd be more worried that an elderly person withdrawing a large amount of cash might be the subject of financial abuse, fraud or other bad stuff. Hanging around banks watching who gets out cash and then mugging them isn't a winning plan, as you'll be on CCTV as you observe your potential victims and as you leave the bank following them. The far bigger problem is elderly, sometimes confused customers being taken advantage of by conmen, abusive family members, advance fee frauds and so on.

Most people don't withdraw cash over the counter, ever, because they don't withdraw large amounts of cash, ever.

A better option is to educate elderly people so they don't need cash and use other methods like electronic transfer instead. However the cash has to be counted out and witnessed by the customer and it isn't always possible to do it in a private room.

Bank staff should be vigilant but ultimately the customers take it at their own risk, elderly or not.