Automated Teller Machine is a computerised machine that provides the customers of banks the facility of accessing their accounts for dispensing cash and to carry out other financial transactions without the need of actually visiting a bank branch.

The ATM cards/debit cards, credit cards and prepaid cards (that permit cash withdrawal) can be used at ATMs for various transactions.

In addition to cash dispensing ATMs may have many services/facilities such as:

• Account information
• Cash Deposit
• Regular bills payment
• Purchase of Re-load Vouchers for Mobiles
• Mini/Short Statement

However, if the card is used at an ATM of any other bank, the customer would be able to do only cash withdrawal and balance enquiry transactions.

For transacting at an ATM, the customer insert (swipe) their card in the ATM and enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Yes. The cards issued by banks in India should be enabled for use at any bank ATM within India.

PIN is the numeric password for use at the ATM. The PIN is separately mailed/handed over to the customer by the bank while issuing the card. This PIN has to be reset to a new PIN by the customer. Most banks force the customers to change the PIN on the first use.
The PIN number should not be written on the card, card holder etc as in such cases the card can be misused if card is lost/stolen.

The customer may contact the card issuing bank branch and apply for issuance of a new card. This procedure is applicable even if the card is sucked in at another bank's ATM.

The customer may contact the card issuing bank immediately on noticing the loss so as to enable the bank to block such cards.

Yes, banks set limit for cash withdrawal by customers. The cash withdrawal limit for use at the ATM of the issuing bank is set by the bank during the issuance of the card.

For cash withdrawals at other bank ATMs, banks have decided to maintain a limit of Rs 10,000/- per transaction. This information is displayed on the ATM.

No charges are payable for using other bank's ATM for cash withdrawal and balance enquiry, as RBI has made it free under its "Free ATM access policy" since April 01, 2009. But banks can restrict the number of such free transactions to a maximum of five per month. For transactions beyond this minimum number of transaction, banks charge maximum of Rs 20/- per transaction.

The customer may lodge a complaint with the card-issuing bank. This process is applicable even if the transaction was carried out at another bank's ATM.

As per the RBI instructions, banks may re-credit such wrongly debited amounts within a maximum period of 12 working days from the date of receipt of the customer's complaint..

Yes. Effective from July 17, 2009, banks shall have to pay customers Rs 100/- per day for delays beyond 12 working days. This shall have to be credited to the account of the customer without any claim being made by the customer.

For all such issues, customer may lodge a complaint with the bank and if the bank does not respond, the customer may approach the local Banking Ombudsman.