Missouri Attorney General urges Congress to pass Safe Access to Cash Act

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Missouri’s attorney general is joining a national effort she says will help protect consumers using ATMs.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and attorneys general from 14 other states sent a letter urging Congress to pass the Safe Access to Cash Act.

Hanaway said if the bill passes, it would treat ATM robberies and destruction at standalone ATMs the same as a bank robbery, carrying much stricter penalties. Under current federal law, strict penalties apply to bank branch robberies but do not cover standalone ATMs.

A Senate committee unanimously advanced the bill, which now awaits a vote by the full Senate before moving to the House of Representatives.