Banks to destroy cards stuck in ATMs

Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday asked scheduled banks to issue new debit or credit card within seven days to a client if his or her card got stuck in the ATMs.
BB officials said that a bank must destroy any debit or credit card which got stuck in the automated teller machines (ATMs) and give the client a new card within seven days after receiving application from the client.
The BB issued a letter to managing directors and chief executive officers of all banks asking them to take measure in this regard in a bid to tackle fraudulent acts.
The BB move came after a number of clients of four leading private banks — Eastern Bank, United Commercial Bank, Mutual Trust Bank and City Bank — had become victims of an ATM scam between February 6 and February 12 as the skimmers withdrew money from their clients’ accounts by forging data of their debit cards.
A BB official told New Age on Tuesday that the banks earlier would not follow any rules about returning the cards to the clients if they got stuck in an ATM. The clients had to wait for long if their cards got stuck in any ATM, he said.
When asked who would pay for the new card, the BB official said that the respective bank would decide the matter.
The official said the BB feared that the skimmers might withdraw money from the ATM booths by using debit or credit cards of the clients which got stuck in the machine.
The law enforcement agency has recently arrested three officials of City Bank and a foreigner on charge of their suspected involvement in the ATM scam.
Following the scam the BB asked the banks to set up anti-skimming device and PIN shield device at their ATMs by March 16 to tackle fraudulent acts.
The BB asked the banks to observe the video footage of their ATM booths accurately on daily basis.
The banks have to take effective measures if they find any doubtful incident in their respective ATM booths. The banks have to inspect their ATM booths on random basis and the inspections reports will have to be placed before the central bank on monthly basis.
The banks have to give training to the guards of the ATM booths so that they (guards) tackle the fraudulent acts. The banks have to give SMS instantly to the clients’ mobile phone after settling any transaction through the ATM booths.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net