“Sorry! Your transaction cannot be processed now” has been the ATM message to many frustrated bank customers at ATM machines in flood-hit areas, east of Jeddah, since the November floods. Many customers have called on banks to do something about these faulty machines which is causing them a great deal of trouble. While some have been repaired, there are many other that do not work, forcing residents of these areas to travel long distances to find a machine that works so that they can withdraw cash for their daily living requirements. “I had to go all the way from Kilo 14 to Kilo 7 to find a working ATM machine,” said one man. About 14 ATM machines in the Kilo 14 area are still broken down, said Fawaz Al-Ruwaithi. These machines serve neighboring districts including Al-Fao, Al-Olya, Al-Harazat, and Umm Al-Sallam, he said. “When you do find a working ATM machine after searching for a while, you get stuck in a long line, especially when salaries are deposited into accounts,” he added. He called on banks to fix their machines. The search for an ATM machine to withdraw a couple of hundred riyal could cost thousands, said Saeed Al-Muwaled, a resident of Kilo 14. When last month's salary was deposited into his account, he went all the way down the Old Makkah Road to the Kilo 7 area looking for a working ATM machine. “I came back with a broken car engine after I got stuck in a flooded street on the way back home.” Al-Muwaled said he had to fork out SR3,000 to repair the engine. Abdullah Soroor, a resident of Al-Harazat District, said he learned a lesson from his neighbors and withdrew last month's entire salary in one transaction. Bank clients are usually allowed to withdraw up to SR5,000 a day. Although banks have started repairing some ATM machines, Soroor said he will withdraw this month's salary in one go. “I know the money could be stolen or lost, but I will avoid long drives searching for ATMs,” he said. Three days after the floods, Abdullah Al-Bugami had to borrow money from his friends after a broken ATM machine swallowed his debit card. “It was embarrassing, but that is what friends are for,” he said. Failed by an ATM machine between Al-Harazat District and Kilo 14, Ali Al-Shummrani had to be helped by strangers. Al-Shummrani's car broke down as he was trying to drive through a flooded street a few days following the floods. “It was the battery,” he said. “I stopped a taxi and it took me to the ATM machine to withdraw money for a new battery and the taxi fare, but it swallowed it.” There was nothing wrong with his debit card, including its expiry date, he said. The taxi driver sympathized with him, Al-Shummrani said. “He even paid for my battery.” Banks have failed to heed customers' complaints on transactional errors, claims Marwan Abdulsattar, who had wanted to withdraw money to have his mother treated at a private clinic. “The clinic refused to examine her without an upfront cash payment. Even their card machine did not work,” he said. When he found a machine, he tried to withdraw SR500, but the money did not come out. “Yet the money was deducted from my account,” he said. His bank refused to credit him. “'You used a different bank's ATM machine. It's your problem',” he claims a bank official told him.
