Report And We’ll Take It Up – CBN Tells Nigerians On Unauthorized Debits

Nigerians have been directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to report cases of unauthorized debits.

Following an outcry over Nigerians losing money through unauthorized POS transactions, CBN’s spokesperson, Osita Nwanisobi said the apex bank would ensure that bank customers get a redress on issues of excess charges and unauthorised withdrawals.

He told TheCable;

“What you should be asking them (bank customers) is if they have reported those incidents to the CBN. We work based on the information we receive.

“We have channels, we have educated them, we have said that you have the right to complain if you get debited. We have written on our website about the cost of bank charges. If anybody is charging you more than what you see, what do you do?

“You need to report to CBN and we will take it up. Anytime we have done sensitisation, we showed them, in concrete terms, the amount we have recovered from banks and sent back to individuals.

“Customers should report to the CBN. We have channels, we have email addresses where they can reach us. That’s what they should do.”

Nwasinobi added that if banks fail to resolve complaints within two weeks, the customer can escalate the complaint to the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the CBN.

He added; “If after lodging your complaint your Bank still fails to engage you and resolve the complaint within 2 Weeks as provided for in the ATM HELP DESK Circular, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the Consumer Protection Department (CPD) of the CBN.

“You can only direct your Complaints to CPD upon the failure of your Bank/Financial Institution to resolve your complaint within the 2 weeks timeline given by the CBN.”

The apex financial regulator said customers can contact the CPD by sending an email to
cpd@cbn.gov.ng, contactcbn@cbn.gov.ng or call +234 7002255226. Customers can lodge a complaint directly on the CBN website via this link.

Customers can also choose to write a letter addressed to the director, Consumer Protection Department, Central Business District, Abuja.

“Your letter of Complaint should be addressed to the Director, Consumer Protection Department. You can submit your letter at the CBN Head Office OR at any of the Central Bank of Nigeria branches of nationwide,” the CBN added.

“Your complaint should be clear and concise to avoid ambiguity. The Complaint letter (petition) should contain amongst other things the following:
• Name, Address, Contact Phone Number & E-mail of the Complainant;
• Name of your Financial Institution;
• Personal banking details (Do NOT include PIN & Passwords, please;)
• History/Date of the transaction in dispute;
• Amount claimed (if any);
• Attach relevant documents to support your claim and;
• Evidence to show that you have first lodged the complaint at your bank.”

“You can make your further inquiries and obtain additional information on the Complaints Handling Process of the Central Bank of Nigeria from the Complaints Unit of your Bank/Financial Institution or from CBN offices nationwide.”