Beware of fee-charging ATMs in the UK
Jun 23rd, 2004, 02:58 AM
#1
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Beware of fee-charging ATMs in the UK
Reports in today's newspapers suggest that more and more users in the UK are incurring a fee when they use an ATM to get cash (typically £1 to £1.50 per withdrawal, although one machine in a gambling casino in the West End is known to charge £5).
A few years ago, the High Street banks made a concerted effort to make a charge for every transaction via ATMs, but met with such vehement criticism that they were forced to drop their plans.
In an effort to make up this shortfall the banks are increasingly selling their off-site machines (those not outside branches) to a third party who can then charge a fee.
A message should flash up showing whether you will be charged for a cash withdrawal, but not all operators are complying with the rules.
Many 'remote' machines situated in shopping malls, supermarkets, petrol stations and convenience stores used to be fee-free, but many now charge and don't always make this clear.
Be warned - if you don't want to incur a charge - make sure you use an ATM outside a bank or building society branch if you can.
Five years ago, nearly all cash machines in the UK were free, now almost one in three make a charge.
A few years ago, the High Street banks made a concerted effort to make a charge for every transaction via ATMs, but met with such vehement criticism that they were forced to drop their plans.
In an effort to make up this shortfall the banks are increasingly selling their off-site machines (those not outside branches) to a third party who can then charge a fee.
A message should flash up showing whether you will be charged for a cash withdrawal, but not all operators are complying with the rules.
Many 'remote' machines situated in shopping malls, supermarkets, petrol stations and convenience stores used to be fee-free, but many now charge and don't always make this clear.
Be warned - if you don't want to incur a charge - make sure you use an ATM outside a bank or building society branch if you can.
Five years ago, nearly all cash machines in the UK were free, now almost one in three make a charge.
Jun 23rd, 2004, 04:08 AM
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Do you really believe that the banks are not the ones who are chraging the fees and that they cannot do so on any machine they own regardless of where it is located?
Another banking subterfuge just like the one they continue to perpetuate here in the US about the "costs" they have incurred in setting up ATMs and how they have to cover them by charging fees...this despite the fact that they now have to hire fewer personnel, etc.
Another banking subterfuge just like the one they continue to perpetuate here in the US about the "costs" they have incurred in setting up ATMs and how they have to cover them by charging fees...this despite the fact that they now have to hire fewer personnel, etc.
Jun 23rd, 2004, 07:05 AM
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Avalon:
- in my day it more often meant a kind of house you rarely (outside the lyrics of 'Hickory Holler's Tramp') find in the country.
And ATMs would be jolly useful in them. Perhaps someone might tell us whether they do indeed have ATMs these days?
- in my day it more often meant a kind of house you rarely (outside the lyrics of 'Hickory Holler's Tramp') find in the country.
And ATMs would be jolly useful in them. Perhaps someone might tell us whether they do indeed have ATMs these days?
Jun 23rd, 2004, 07:44 AM
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Couldn't agree with you more Brian. Cracks me up the way people expect to have instant free access to their funds anywhere in the world. Isn't it worth a couple bucks to not have to stand in a teller line or try to convince a merchant to cash a check for you? Gotta love that entitlement mentality.
Jun 23rd, 2004, 08:06 AM
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Egg:
Am I not getting my point across?. ATMs are useful to PAY for the services provided in what the Italians call a casino.
Unless they take credit cards these days. After all, isn't the profession's motto "the customer comes first"?
Am I not getting my point across?. ATMs are useful to PAY for the services provided in what the Italians call a casino.
Unless they take credit cards these days. After all, isn't the profession's motto "the customer comes first"?
Jun 23rd, 2004, 08:33 AM
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It doesn't seem like it would be that difficult to enforce regulations of fee notification if the authorities really cared. All they'd have to do would be check out some of these ATMs and see if a notification appeared, and if not, levy large fines.
I do think there are different regulations governing local and foreign ATM cards, though, for bank ATMs. Private ATMs can charge anybody anything, as far as I know, as long as it is clear what the fee is.
I know in the US, it is quite clear which ATMs are private enterprises and charge fees, and they are located in small stores, etc. Maybe an ATM with a high fee in a gambling casino is a good idea, actually, as someone who needs to be extracting more money from the ATM to gamble is probably losing and going in the hole. I really can't get too concerned about such issues given more pressing matters in the world.
I don't think it really matters that much if an ATM charges a GBP for a transaction. That isn't much money. Since this is a travel board, I assume this warning is for tourists who shouldn't be using ATMs that many times, anyway, during a short visit. I use one 2-3 times a week during my vacations, and that is enough.
I do think there are different regulations governing local and foreign ATM cards, though, for bank ATMs. Private ATMs can charge anybody anything, as far as I know, as long as it is clear what the fee is.
I know in the US, it is quite clear which ATMs are private enterprises and charge fees, and they are located in small stores, etc. Maybe an ATM with a high fee in a gambling casino is a good idea, actually, as someone who needs to be extracting more money from the ATM to gamble is probably losing and going in the hole. I really can't get too concerned about such issues given more pressing matters in the world.
I don't think it really matters that much if an ATM charges a GBP for a transaction. That isn't much money. Since this is a travel board, I assume this warning is for tourists who shouldn't be using ATMs that many times, anyway, during a short visit. I use one 2-3 times a week during my vacations, and that is enough.
