Fake notes from ATMs leave customers in lurch

Lately, there has been an increase in complaints of counterfeit notes being dispensed from ATM8217;s of both public sector and private banks. And with banks refusing to take cognisance of the counterfeit currencies in the form of cash deposits dispensed from their ATMs, the customers are left in a lurch.

A customer, who received a Rs 500 counterfeit note from a private bank ATM here, said the bank staff asked him to prove that he got the note from their machine. The bank, he said, never accepted the fact that he got the note from the ATM and he ended up losing Rs 500. Another customer, who got a Rs 500 note from an ATM of a nationalised bank said he was able to convince the bank staff and got the note exchanged.

However, RBI General Manager D B S Karunakaran said, 8220;There have been no cases of counterfeit currencies flowing from any ATM. All the currency notes are supplied by RBI8217;s currency chest and are screened before they are delivered to the ATMs.8221;

Canara Bank Divisional Manager Nayagam said, 8220;We have never come across cases where ATMs are dispensing fake notes. Banks are careful in handling currencies.8221;