UAE | General
What to do with damaged banknotes? wonder residents
Soiled and torn banknotes are making shopping difficult for many residents.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 13:24 February 5, 2008
Dubai: Soiled and torn banknotes are making shopping difficult for many residents.
Most shops reject banknotes that are in a bad state, complain residents.
A Dubai resident said he got a Dh50 banknote as change from a cashier after paying for his groceries. "I used that banknote at other shops, but they would not accept. I was told that banks are not accepting such banknotes," the resident said.
Bankers said people have the right to reject soiled or torn banknotes. Mohammad Al Ghufaili, branch manger of Sharjah Islamic Bank, said: "Generally, people don't know what to do with banknotes which are in a bad condition."
Even ATMs don't accept such banknotes, Al Ghufaili said. "ATMs will not recognise such banknotes," he said.
Another resident said a taxi driver refused to take a torn Dh10 because it was fixed with a tape. "I don't know what to do with that money," he said.
A coffee shop owner said some customers pay using soiled or torn banknotes. "If we reject that banknote, they tell us that they don't have any other money; forcing us to accept the damaged banknote," he said.
A banker said some shops accept damaged banknotes for less than the actual amount. "Some shops take a torn Dh20 banknote for Dh19," said the banker.
Banks generally accepts such notes from individuals or companies provided the person or the company has an account with the bank.
"Banks usually accept spoiled or torn banknotes from their own customers," said the branch manger of Sharjah Islamic Bank.
Al Ghufaili said banks send damaged notes to the central bank, which replaces them.
Share this article
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Khalifa orders allocation of plots to UAE nationals
- Abu Dhabi issues traffic safety guidelines for Eid
- Al Qasba celebrates Eid Al Adha with family activities
- Free parking for nine days in the capital
- DEWA opening hours during Eid
- Kuwaiti Emir invites Khalifa to Arab summit
- UAE Haj pilgrims safe and well: official
- Briton loses libel case against newspaper
- Activities lined up for Eid holidays in Dubai parks
- Malaysian woman jailed for forging cards
- Schools mark National Day with shows
- Munching on a health hazard
- Wag a tail
- SAT wiz: Top of the class
- Sharjah housemaid packed off
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
