KARACHI: Apart from denial of access at automated teller machines (ATMs), consumers are said to be facing a variety of other technical faults, sometimes in the form of incorrect messages or sometimes receiving half of the amount they requested.

“I was denied a withdrawal request on the pretext that my account was not functional,” a senior journalist told Dawn. “The information was baseless as I withdrew later from the same account at the branch through cheque.”

Sometimes the machine denies access despite providing correct information and sometimes it warns you not to put wrong PIN codes anymore despite being providing correct PIN codes.

The most common problem occurs mostly late night or on holidays is denial of withdrawal requests.

“I encountered a unique situation the other day when I tried to withdraw Rs20,000 but the machine dispensed Rs10,000,” an ATM user narrated his story. “At first I thought I must have made mistake in punching the amount. However, the malfunctioning of the machine was confirmed when it dished out Rs5,000 instead of Rs10,000 on second request.”

When higher-ups of the relevant banks were approached they brushed it aside as a technical fault.

According to details, the account holder is not cheated as balance was what it ought to be in user’s account. On the other hand, some currency operators believe that the programme of ATM was deliberately manipulated to discourage consumers from withdrawing large amounts so that more people could benefit while the branch is closed.