What is an Automated Teller Machine?
Automated Teller Machine is a computerised machine that provides the customers of banks the facility of accessing their accounts for dispensing cash and to carry out other financial transactions without the need of actually visiting a bank branch.
What type of cards can be used at an ATM?
The ATM cards / Debit cards, Credit cards and prepaid cards (that permit cash withdrawal) can be used at ATMs for various transactions.
What are the services / facilities available at ATMs?
In addition to cash dispensing, ATMs may have many services / facilities such as:
The services offered may vary from bank to bank, or may depend on the capacity of the machine to provide such services.
How can one transact at an ATM?
For transacting at an ATM, the customers needs to authenticate by inserting / swiping their card in the required ATM slot and entering their Personal Identification Number (PIN). Following successful authentication, they will be presented with the transaction menu to carry out their required transaction.
What is a Personal Identification Number (PIN)?
PIN is the numeric password for use at the ATM. The PIN is separately mailed / handed over to the customer by the bank while issuing the card. This PIN has to be reset to a new PIN by the customer. Customers are advised to change the PIN on the first use to ensure security. The PIN number should not be written on the card, card holder etc. as in such cases the card can be misused if card is lost / stolen.
Is there any minimum and maximum cash withdrawal limit per day?
Yes, banks set limit for cash withdrawal by customers. The cash withdrawal limit for use at the ATM of the issuing bank is set by the bank during the issuance of the card.
Do banks levy any service charge for use of other bank ATMs?
No charges are payable for using other banks' ATM for cash withdrawal and balance enquiry, as RBI has made it free under its "Free ATM access policy" since April 01, 2009. But banks can restrict the number of such free transactions to a maximum of five per month. For transactions beyond this minimum number of transaction, banks charge maximum of Rs.20 per transactions.
What should be done in case during the cash withdrawal process, cash is not disbursed by the account gets debited for the account?
The customer may lodge a complaint with the card issuing bank. This process is applicable even if the transaction was carried out at another banks ATM.
Can these cards be used at any bank ATM in the country?
Yes. The cards issued by banks in India should be enabled for use at any bank ATM within India.
Are the customers eligible for compensation for delay beyond 7 working days?
For any failure to re-credit the customer's account within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the complaint, the bank shall pay compensation of Rs.100/-, per day, to the aggrieved customer. This compensation shall be credited to the customer's account automatically without any claim from the customer, on the same day when the bank affords the credit for the failed ATM transaction.
Providing credit within 7 working days would be applicable for domestic card transactions and not applicable for international card transactions.
In case the compensation is not credited as mandated, what recourse does the customer have?
For all such complaints customer may lodge a complaint with the local banking Ombudsman if the bank does not respond.
