Two bankers: The service is activated with the approval of the customer.. and it is planned to provide it for free soon

Dealers criticize the imposition of monthly fees to receive text messages from banks

The text message service provided by the banks includes warnings of account hacking.

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Customers reported that their banks impose a monthly fee of between three and five dirhams, in return for sending text messages explaining withdrawals, purchases or deposits they make, demanding that these services be provided free of charge.

They indicated that banks have many banking fees that they impose on customers without objection, whether for using ATMs or checking counters, in addition to those imposed when taking personal finance or a car loan.

For their part, two bankers said that the text messaging service is not activated until after contacting the customer service center and requesting it, explaining that some banks provide it for free and others impose a nominal monthly fee, pointing out that there is a tendency for all banks to provide it for free, taking into account market conditions and to mitigate about dealers.

In detail, customers said that their banks impose a monthly fee of between three and five dirhams, in exchange for sending text messages explaining the withdrawals, purchases or deposits that they make, wondering: Why not provide these services for free, as long as the banks benefit from the presence of their customers’ accounts, whether by taking Funds, salary transfers, or other things, and they added that for the past years, they thought these messages were free, until they were surprised otherwise.

On the other hand, banker Abdullah Salem said: “The text messaging service is not activated until after calling the customer service center and requesting it, but sometimes the customer service employee ignores telling the customer that this service is for a fee, so customers think that it is free,” noting that “If the customer goes to the branch and asks for it, he is directed to complete it through the ATM, and also the issue of telling him the fee is subject to the employee’s discretion and the extent of his interest, as the latter thinks that it is a simple fee that the customer may not object to, in exchange for an important service to follow up the movement of the account first-hand, and see the No hacking or other attempts.

For her part, a banker, who asked not to be named, said, “Text messages are important for the customer to follow the movement of his bank accounts, and know deposits, withdrawals, payments, etc., and although smart applications explain this as well, the messaging service is faster, so banks are keen to provide them for a monthly fee. symbolic, it goes between three and five dirhams, but many dealers are not aware of this fee, and are surprised by it in the account statement, and this is the responsibility of bank employees, as it is their responsibility to explain all fees to customers in accordance with the instructions of the Central Bank.

She added that some banks provide this service for free, and there is a tendency for all banks to do this soon, taking into account market conditions and to relieve customers, noting that “this fee is old, but given that its value is simple, no one cares to inform the customer of it, but it appears in the monthly account statement. sent via e-mail.

It is noteworthy that the text messaging service provided by banks also includes warnings against hacking accounts, or responding to fraudsters who take advantage of the logos of the Central Bank or the logos of banks, with the aim of convincing customers to enter their bank card data and then seize their money.

Banks are keen to update their customers’ data in accordance with the Central Bank’s instructions, within the “know your customer” initiative, foremost of which is to verify the mobile phone number owned by the customer, through which he receives text messages, along with a passport and a valid identity card.

• Banks are keen to update customers' data in accordance with the instructions of the Central Bank.

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