ATM thieves emptied account, claims expat

Manama : It’s once bitten, twice shy feeling for a Philippines national residing here as she stopped using banking services. In June, ATM fraudsters allegedly managed to empty the bank balance of Sittie Sauda Bangcola, who claims that only she has the access to the bank cards and account details. 

Interestingly, despite filing a complaint to the police, later she withdrew it. “I want to forget all about it,” she cited the reason. “Ever since it took place in June, I have stopped using banking services. In fact, I am afraid of using banking services now. I have been taking all my salary in cash. My company has assisted me in every possible way,” Sittie explained.

Recalling the incident, she said: “My company transferred money to my account on June 30, but when I went to withdraw the cash two days later, the money was gone.” 

Her bank, Ithmaar Bank, later informed her that the money was withdrawn on June 30 from an ATM, which belonged to another bank, located on Exhibition Road. But she stressed that she did not make any transaction. 

When contacted, a Senior Manager from Ithmaar Bank explained that the other bank had informed them that the ATM card and PIN number used for the transaction were both valid. 

“Ithmaar Bank takes customer concerns very seriously, and is committed to the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction. In this case, the customer raised a dispute with Ithmaar Bank saying that money was withdrawn from her Ithmaar Bank savings account at another bank’s ATM through the Benefit Network,” the official said. “We notified the Benefit Network, which, in turn, filed a claim with the other bank. The other bank rejected the claim, and notified the Benefit Network that the actual card was used at the ATM. Both the card’s chip and the PIN were, respectively, read and input correctly,” he explained.  

“As the transaction occurred at another bank’s ATM, Ithmaar Bank can, unfortunately, be of no further assistance,” he added.

Ithmaar Bank’s Assistant General Manager, Head of Retail Banking, Mohammed Janahi said: “Ithmaar Bank has repeatedly, through various media, reminded customers never to share their card or PIN numbers with anyone for whatever reason.”