No extra charges on ATM card use in shops, warns ministry

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has asked all commercial outlets and service providers not to charge any additional fee on customers on payments using ATM cards.

This will be considered a serious violation of consumer rights and shops that fail to comply will have their contract with the bank immediately revoked, the ministry warned in a circular issued to all commercial outlets. 

The ministry is coordinating with Qatar Central Bank in this regard.

The Peninsula reports that the ministry said that it has received many complaints from consumers who have been charged additional commissions when paying for their purchases using credit and debit cards. 

The ministry has sent a circular to all outlets in this regard. Payments using ATM cards should be considered as cash payments, in line with Qatar’s vision to develop the banking services, said the ministry.

No additional commissions under any form should be imposed on clients when purchasing or returning products for using credit and debit (ATM) cards through the POS (Point of sale) system.

Officers from the ministry with judicial powers will intensify their inspection campaigns to book perpetrators and legal action will be taken against them, said the ministry.

The ministry has asked store managers and service providers to comply with the provisions of this circular and explain its content to all staff members and employees to avoid being subject to legal action and disciplinary measures.