Confusion and Charges: Easypaisa’s Controversial Rs. 99 Biometric Fee
Easypaisa is causing quite a stir by deducting Rs. 99 from users’ accounts whenever they fail biometric verification with NADRA, and there seems to be no regulatory backing for this charge. One frustrated user told ProPakistani they were hit with this fee multiple times after unsuccessful fingerprint scans.
Here’s the message they received after a failed attempt:
“Your fingerprints could not be matched against your CNIC from NADRA. Please ensure you’re scanning your own fingerprints against a clear background. You can also visit your nearest retailer for biometric verification. A fee of Rs. 99 has been deducted from your account.”
What’s even more perplexing is the lack of regulatory clarity surrounding this charge.
Interestingly, Easypaisa had previously introduced a monthly SMS alert fee of Rs. 15 last year, raising eyebrows about compliance with the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) directives. According to a circular from January 2022, all banks and microfinance institutions were instructed to provide free SMS and email alerts for all digital transactions. Yet, users are still facing charges for these alerts and often experience delays in notifications, making it tough to keep track of their transactions.
What do you think about these charges? Are you experiencing similar issues?
