Man Versus Machine

Regarding Jerome Pudwill’s letter describing his difficulties using an ATM card and credit cards in ATM machines in Tuscany, Italy (“Checks and Balances,” Aug. 3), because he didn’t know his PIN numbers, it seems he didn’t attempt the obvious.

He could have taken his credit card and passport (for identification) to a teller in any national bank and requested a cash advance. Granted, this process is not a debit to a bank account and can take anywhere from five to 20 minutes, but it would have saved him endless aggravation and $100 in telephone calls.

Even having your PIN number memorized does not guarantee that the card will work in a machine or that the machine has money in it. In this automated age, we often forget that there are people behind the scenes who could be of assistance.

DIANE OHANIAN

San Diego