“Let Your Bank Take Responsibility for
USSD Double Charges” — ALTON Chairman Sounds Alarm
Lagos, June 2025
– Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications
Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has urged Nigerian consumers to hold
their banks accountable amid growing concerns over double billing of
USSD charges. This comes as banks and telecom operators clash over who should
bear the cost of USSD sessions.
The Dispute Explained
- Background:
Historically, banks used USSD (e.g. *#999#) for mobile banking, paying
telecoms infrastructure fees on behalf of customers. However, due to
mounting costs, banks are shifting these fees onto customers’ airtime
without halting charges on bank accounts—creating potential for double
billing .
- ALTON's
Warning: Adebayo emphasized that this could
result in users being billed twice—once from airtime by telcos and again
from their bank account by the bank.
ALTON’s Stance & Call to Action
- Double
Billing Risk: ALTON views the banks’ demand for
“end-user billing” as unfair unless banks stop deducting from accounts
once airtime charges begin .
- Magnet
for Consumer Frustration: Without clear
protocols for error reporting and refunds, customers will bear the brunt
of conflicting charges .
- Need
for Urgent Intervention: The telecom
association is urging the Central Bank (CBN) and NCC to
convene stakeholders to finalize cost-sharing and billing transparency
mechanisms.
What You Should Do
- Monitor
USSD Charges: Track both airtime deductions and
bank account debits for every USSD session.
- Report
Any Duplications: If charged twice, contact your bank
and telecom provider immediately—and escalate unresolved cases to CBN’s
Consumer Protection unit.
- Demand
Clarity: Ask your bank for a clear policy on
USSD billing and whether they have stopped levying bank-account fees since
airtime fees began.
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