Hyderabad: Instances of ATM machines dispensing fake notes have increased of late. Bank officials are at a loss as account holders from Malkajgiri, Jeedimetla, LB Nagar, and Chaitanyapuri have approached them with complaints.
Police suspects that the cash replenishing agents are behind the incidents.
Meanwhile there’s hardly any redressal mechanism available for users if they get fake currency from ATMs.
However, officials of major nationalised banks claim that it’s highly unlikely to find fake notes in ATMs as the currency is deposited in the cash chests after a rigorous security process.
“Generally there are four-fold verifications before the currency is put in teller machines as per the guidelines of RBI. The currency is verified manually and with the help of machines under electronic surveillance. It’s a scientific process, and it’s highly unlikely that fake notes get deposited in the machines,” said a senior official of SBI.
“If it happens, it’s utter negligence of the bank officials,” he added. A senior police official from Malkajgiri division said that it has to be verified if the workers of the cash replenishing agencies are colluding with the fake currency rackets.
“Due to lack of proper security measures at the ATMs, such workers can easily manipulate the situation and put fake notes instead of original cash,” said the official.
Police officials say that if a user gets fake notes from ATM, he should immediately report to the guard at the ATM and approach the bank and the local police with the withdrawal receipt.
If the bank refuses to take the complaint, the customer can directly approach the Ombudsman, and also start a legal procedure against the negligence of the bank.
After a case is registered with the police, a strict probe can help the customer prove his claim.
“We can investigate the case by checking all the available details like time of withdrawal, denominations, serial numbers, and the CCTV camera. A verification of the money deposited in the cash chest would also help,” said a police official.
