Recently, an angry Nigerian man took to Twitter to complain about how his mother’s account was wrongfully debited after a failed transaction, even as no refund has been made eight days later.
According to Kehinde Olaoye, his mother tried to make a Point of Sale (POS) payment at a first food restaurant. But her card was declined, after which she realised that her account had been debited. And even though she lodged complaint with her bank, nothing has been done to revert her money which was debited.
Consequently, Mr Olaoye took to Twitter to call on the Central Bank of Nigeria and the bank in question, asking them to help return his mother’s N5,500.
My mum’s Gtbank account has been debited since 14/03/19 with the sum of 5500. She tried to make payment at sweet sensation and was declined but debited. She has called CS and they have said your fine of 10000 isn’t applicable to POS transactions. @cenbank, @gtbank_help @segalink
— Kehinde Olaoye (@kennyolaoye) March 19, 2019
According to him, his mother was promised that the refund would take eight days to reflect. But eight days have passed by and still, there is no refund.
Please kindly help me look into it. Gtbank says it will take 8 working days to make the reversal. It has been over 48 working hours already. Thank you.
— Kehinde Olaoye (@kennyolaoye) March 19, 2019
The CBN’s position on the matter
Recall that in September 2018, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a circular notifying Nigerian banks that would be subjected to a fine of N10,000 for every failed card transaction they do not refund within 24 hours after customers’ complaints.
“A failed NIP transaction not reversed into customer’s account within 24 hours based on complaints of sender and/or beneficiary. N10,000.00 per item.
“Delayed application of inward NIP into beneficiary’s accounts beyond 4 minutes. Based on complaints of sender and/ or beneficiary. N10,000.00 per item.” -CBN
But as Mr Olaoye noted in his tweet, the bank said that the N10000 fine isn’t applicable to POS transactions. But from the quotation above, it is obvious this is not the case.
Does the CBN directive have any effect?
This then brings us to the important question – when will the Central Bank of Nigeria begin implementing its directive? Based on the comments on Mr Olaoye’s post, it is obvious that cases of wrongful debits and delayed refunds from banks is still prevalent in the country. How much longer will it continue before a lasting solution is provided?
Dear @myaccessbank kindly attemd to this ASAP @cenbank
— Boason Omofaye (@BBoason) March 20, 2019
I also used my ATM in one shop ik shop lugbe Abuja.since December 2018. I was debited 15k, I went to my bank which was first bank to lodge the complain up till now am still waiting. Nigerian banks are fraud.
Good morning, I’m a corps members serving in lagos my allowance account was mismatched with another customer’s Debit card, and on the 7th of May 2019,the whole of my allowance (allowee) was withdrawn. I lay a complain to my bank on the 8th May 2019, and they said its a mistake, they resolved the issue about the ATM card being mismatched and promised to refund since Wednesday but as I write now nothing was done the CS said she can’t transfer the fund to my account she suggest I meet her in person to collect my money. How do I go about this issue? Thanks
Hi Joel, I will advise you to report the issue to the CBN via @centbank on twitter mentioning your bank. Also, mention EFCC and @segalink.