Rip-Off Britain is alive and well!

29/02/2000 - Britain's banks have voted to levy charges on customers for using each other's cash machines.

Members of the 34-strong Link group of banks and building societies have given the green light to extra charges, which could take the cost of cash withdrawals to £2.50. But they have voted to delay bringing them in until January 1, 2001.

The decision to allow cash machine charges will meet opposition from Don Cruickshank, the man heading a review of banking services. He has said that cash machine charges should not be more than 30p in total. Jeremy del Strother, communications director for Nationwide, which was opposed to any charges, said: "We're are really disappointed in the result, having led the campaign. The silver lining is that the display on screen will allow customers to abort transactions."

Members at the Link meeting, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, also agreed that no charges would be introduced until a reasonable notice period had been given by individual surchargers. They also undertook to carry out the necessary modifications to their systems to allow all cash machine screens to show clearly any charges which would be made for a cash withdrawal. And they agreed to open up the ATM network to non-banks such as supermarkets and petrol station owners.

Members are altering their current system of charging between banks for cash machine withdrawals. At the moment the system is complicated but based around the figure of 30p per transaction. In future banks will charge each other 28p for each ATM withdrawal at a branch and 40p for an ATM outside a branch, such as in a store or railway station.

The Consumers' Association said that an acceptable maximum charge for cash machine withdrawals would be 30p, in line with the recommendation by Don Cruickshank, the man currently heading a review of banking services. It said anything more would be excessive.

UK Banks are ALREADY earning £180 million a year in Cash Machine charges - what a Rip-Off!! I always thought it was the Bank of England that only printed money!!

TIP - How to save Bank Cash Card Machine Charges

When you want cash from your bank card simply go to Tesco's, Safeways or most big supermarkets, buy a tin of baked beans with your card, and request 'cash back' from your card!! No Fees, No Charge! Most supermarkets offer this facility!