By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South, Dayo Johnson, Sam Oyadongha, Jimitota Onoyume, Wole Mosadomi, Demola Akinyemi, Peter Duru, Egufe Yafugborhi, Ndahi Marama, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Charly Agwam, Femi Bolaji, Musa Ubandawaki, David Odama, Ozioruva Aliu, Emma Unah, Steve Oko, Chioma Onuegbu, Chinonso Alozie, Paul Olayemi, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Shina Abubakar, James Ogunnaike, Haruna Aliyu, Ogalah Ibrahim, Idris Salisu, Bashir Bello & Boluwaji Obahopo
ASABA — Nigerians have voiced anger over outrageous charges Point of Sale, PoS, operators take to withdraw money from their bank accounts.
Citizens who spoke to Vanguard weekend expressed concern that PoS operators are gradually taking over the Automatic Teller Machine, ATM, services from banks across the country
Many resorted to PoS operators when they found after many stopovers at their banks for self-service that the ATMs were usually empty but cash was available with PoS operators.
On their part, PoS operators narrated huge risks and measures they undertake to get cash, including paying bank officials, saying the charges must be adequate to enable them remain in business.
However, effrorts to get bank officials to react to the allegations against them by POS operators proved abortive.
Residents who spoke to Vanguard in Akwa-Ibom State expressed fears over the fraudulent activities of some PoS operators.
A teacher at a private secondary school in Uyo, Mr. Udoh, lamented: “At the ATMs, sometimes there is no money to withdraw. At the PoS, you withdraw N5,000 with N150, sometimes N200; they bill you N300 for N10,000. Two weeks ago, I went to withdraw N20,000 at a PoS at the University of Uyo, and I was charged N800. It is a worrying issue.
I will advise government to introduce a policy stopping all banks from working hand-in-hand with PoS operators; it will help regulate the amount the PoS operators charge because many people will now like to go to the ATM where they will be charged less.”
A lecturer at UNIUYO explained that he prefers to patronize a PoS close to his residence because of difficulties experienced in using the ATMs of his banks.
He, however, expressed concern over issues involving charges, fraud, and sometimes the exchange of people’s ATM cards’ details, especially by roadside PoS operators.
Apart from fraudulent activities and network issues common with roadside PoS operators, standard PoS outlets like the one I use will not defraud you or exchange your ATM card details. I have a sister who had an ugly experience recently. When they exchanged her ATM card details, she started seeing alerts for withdrawals she did not make later in the night. And that was how she lost all the money in her account. In just one hour, N400,000 was gone.”
