Hyderabad: Empty ATMs levying transaction charges

Hyderabad: ATM kiosks without ‘no-cash’ boards are costing customers heavily. Some banks are recording every swipe of the card at the ATM as a transaction, irrespective of whether or not cash is delivered. This is set off against permitted number of free transactions.

Meanwhile, Mr K. Madhusudhanachari from Dilsukhnagar said 12 ATMs on the stretch from Moosarambagh junction to the Saibaba temple at Dilsukhnagar were out of cash for 10 days. Some of them do not have the ‘no cash’ boards.

“Whenever I swiped the card at an ATM, I got a message from my banker SBH that one free transaction was completed against the five allowed. Without withdrawing a single penny, I lost all my free transactions. The bank charged for Rs 20 and service tax for a recent transaction,” he said.

Meanwhile, bankers have alleged that it was the responsibility of ATM refillers to properly install and display ‘no cash’ boards outside kiosks. An official said the bank was putting up the boards at ATMs located near the bank.

Mr M.S. Kumar, secretary of the Bank Employees’ Federation, said banks were getting currency in smaller denominations, while the demand was for Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes. “We are sending leftover cash to the ATMs in the evenings. But the cash is being withdrawn quickly, and ATMs are running dry,” he said.