Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 8, 1993 TAG: 9309080109
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They next moved to the ATM at the branch in the shopping center. Still no go. The machine said their cards were no good.
A couple of Towers customers solved the problem by using a MOST machine at a nearby Central Fidelity Bank branch to gain access to their DominionsoontobeFirst-UnionNational-Bank accounts.
Dominion, obviously, isn't the only bank to have computer problems on occasion. And changing one bank into another isn't often easy. It hasn't been all smooth for First Union as it moves toward total takeover of Dominion's systems by Oct. 1.
Flo Phillips, First Union senior vice president for consumer banking, said she knows how the customers felt. It makes her frustrated to go to an ATM and find it out of order, she said.
The weekend ATM problems, she said, was due to one of two things: the actual change of software and a storm that caused electrical problems. ATM glitches pass, though. Some changes won't.
Since Sept. 1, some customers are finding permanent changes in their Dominion ATM services. The 6,000 to 8,000 customers who were accustomed to using the ATM to make electronic payments of their bills for water, gas and electricity can't do that anymore.
The bills can be paid by check inside a branch bank but not through an ATM. First Union's ATM software can't accommodate the payments, Phillips said. Therefore, checkless utility payments are out.
The banks don't handle the payments for free. Roanoke County pays 15 cents per transaction to banks to process its payments; Roanoke has been paying 10 cents per transaction but that is going to 18 cents.
Even with being paid for accepting utility payments, bank executives say they are evaluating the system. First Union executives said the company needs to free its tellers from processing the payments to sell other services.
But don't worry. If there's money involved, someone is bound to to pick up the services.
For example, Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. parted company with several Virginia banks recently when the phone company set new terms for collecting payment for its bills. But some food stores and pharmacies are picking up the business.
Telephone bills still can be paid at Crestar and Central Fidelity banks and also at Powell Pharmacy in Salem, Shawsville Pharmacy, Cundiff Drug in Vinton, Jay's Community Supermarket on Orange Avenue, Ninth Street Galaxy Food Store in Southeast, E.J. Thomas Foods on Orange, Snappy Food Mart on Liberty Road Northeast, Lipes Pharmacy on Crystal Spring Avenue, Parcel Express on Franklin Road, Star Market on Melrose, Econo Drug on Melrose, Thriftway on Grandin Road and Mr. Money Check Casher on Williamson Road.
On the subject of telephones: Some Virginia residents have been getting computerized telephone calls telling them to "Dial 1" for additional information. Following the instructions could end up costing money.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has warned that by pressing "1," the customer gives approval for accepting a collect call and being billed for the information. In other instances, just by pressing "1" a caller is transferred to a 900 number, where charges also accrue.
Just remember this: It is against the law for an initial sales contact to be made through a recorded telephone message, warns Betty Blakemore, director of the state office.
If it has happened to you, call (804) 786-2042 and ask for a complaint form.
by CNB