Why do bank employees put magnetic signs on their cars (prominently parking in the lot) implying they are "Security?"?

I work for a bank and have worked in the banking industry for many years and have never heard of this. Seems odd to have a car marked as security when there isn’t any.

@creative1 That’s what I thought too! It is just one bank in my hometown, but they do this at ALL of their branches . . .

Neither of the banks I’ve worked at have done this. And I can’t imagine that it’s any real deterrent. Many banks have been robbed that have actual security guards working there. If a person doesn’t deter them, I can’t imagine that a sign on a car will do it. Especially if someone saw the employee do that, just like you did!

@Kayak8 I’d ask the manager of the bank. Seriously, that seems odd.

@SpatzieLover They have been doing it for years. I don’t bank there, but maybe I will stop in someday and just ask about it . . .

They have been doing it for years. It’s bizarre. I’ve never seen anything like it here & I am surrounded by banks. I’m curious like a cat…So I’d have to go ask ;)

@SpatzieLover Well, now you are motivating me to stop in at the local branch and ask them . . . will provide a report when I know the answer . . .

See if you can think of a way to word the question so that it doesn’t sound confrontational or challenging. You might get a false or defensive answer if you just asked “How come your employees take turns sticking ‘Security’ magnets on the side of their cars?”

I’m wondering what would be a better question, though. Jellies—?

@Jeruba ^That thought crossed my mind. I’m wondering if an email carefully worded in a quizzical way…Maybe after saying something about wanting to open an account with them.

Because I work for a bank, I would be very tempted to go in and say, “I work for Bank X down the street. What is the purpose of the security signs on various employee cars?” If they said it’s a deterrent to robbery, I would ask if they understand that if I’ve seen them change the signs, anyone who is casing the bank has seen them too. For you @Kayak8, I have no idea how you can ask this without them wondering if you’re going to be a robber.

Well, this is the bank in question and I am open to ideas for framing the question (particularly ideas that do not cast me as a potential bank robber!)

@Kayak8 I think @SpatzieLover was right on with the suggestion of acting like you’re interested in opening an account there. Perhaps research them a little bit so you can bring up some features that you really like, but then express concern over their method of “security”. If you act like you really want to do business with them, they’re likely to be much more willing to talk to you.

@bobbinhood – If their security training has been sound in any way, they will be suspicious of Kayak8 even with that framing. I know that if I were talking to an unknown person about opening an account and they started asking security questions like that, I would be on the alert. Bankers are supposed to be very well trained to not discuss security measures. Not that it’s not worth a try, though!

I have a cop friend and I have been toying with having her do the asking . . . maybe less threatening that way . . . although I question their security training when they use magnetic signs . . . just sayin’

@Kayak8 If this was going on near me, I’d want to know. The entire set up sounds hokie.

If you have a cop friend, ask her. She might know…otherwise she could ask them.

@tedibear Got it. That makes sense, but it doesn’t help our curiosity.

@bobbinhood – LoL! Exactly! I am dying to know what’s up with this. I think @Kayak8 needs to ask the cop friend what’s up with this procedure. And if this friend works in the city where the bank is, maybe the local police need to talk to the security officer at the bank. They need to know that their security measures (or at least that one!) may need to be updated.

OK, I will call the cop and see if she knows or will inquire on our collective behalf . . . :)

@Kayak8 – And you WILL report back or no cookies for you!

And I make good cookies! You don’t want to miss out.

I get so excited every time I see new activity on this question, but it never turns out to be the answer. The suspense is killing me.

I texted my cop buddy and she said “just their way of doing security. Nothing wrong with it.” I was hoping for something a little more helpful. As it is, I think I will be stopping by the local branch with the auspices of opening an account. I will see what I can learn.

@Kayak8 – Thanks for reporting back. I’m not sure I agree with her, but that’s okay. Let us know how the bank venture goes! <Hands Kayak8 a dozen cookies>