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>But no, it's actually just another case of caveat emptor - you need to know which ATM will charge you an arm and a leg, which just the toenails, and which ones you can use for free. They don't talk to each other.

The biggest expense with ATM's is filling them with cash.
Someone has to put about $40K into each machine once or twice a week.
Typically the filler does at least a dozen machines a day, so that filler is carrying a lot of cash when leaving the depot.
You can imagine the risks involved for the people doing the filling - and the extensive precautions involved.
Precautions notwithstanding, holdups are frequent, insurance rates are very high, and insurers are increasingly refusing coverage at any rate.
The people supplying the cash and doing the filling are getting a large share of the fees, but many of them are leaving the business because of the costs involved.

Answer - use your credit card and don't carry any balances.