Banks in UAE plan to install video phone enabled ATMs

In a move to stop increasing ATM crimes and check customer complaints, a networking and communications company has devised a system to install video phones on ATM machines. The video phone enabled ATMs will help users contact bank representatives or police in case of emergencies or even technical problems during cash transactions.

Banks in the UAE are considering installing video phones on their ATM machines. A technology consultant for banks was all praise for the new system. He said once the system is in place it would add one more layer of security to ATM users. Avaya, a networking and communication company, that services financial organisations, is displaying a prototype of the ATM Machines with inbuilt video phones at the ongoing Gitex.

Dina El Banna, Marketing Manager, Emerging Markets, at Avaya: "We have introduced this video on ATM machines for Emirates NBD Bank. Using the video phone, a customer using the ATM machine can directly get in touch with a contact agent of the bank and communicate in real time video footages. Currently ATM machines are covered by surveillance cameras and the new version of ATM machines will have an inbuilt video phones, that can be directly linked to either the bank headquarters or police stations.

"If an ATM user faces some problems in the transactions, he or she can call the banks agent using video-enabled phone and the banks representative can see the transactions. It may also be used to combat crime involving ATM machines. ATMs installed with an inbuilt video camera can be converted into video phone enabled machines," she added. "Emirates NBD has about 700 ATM Machines in the UAE, and they may convert these machines in to video phone enabled machines," she added.

Banks in the UAE have been concerned about customers disputing cash transactions from the ATM machines. Similarly, law enforcement agencies and banks have been concerned about various crimes involving ATM machines. The new video phone enabled ATM machines are expected to be safer, according to experts.