Nigerians Lament Excessive Charges by Access Bank as Over 4,600 Customers Cry Out Over Unexplained Deductions

Public Outcry Over Access Bank’s Charges Echoes Loudly Online

In one of the most heated online conversations in recent months, over 4,600 people took to social media platforms to express frustration over what they described as “unbearable” and “frequent” charges by Access Bank. The flood of comments revealed a widespread grievance among account holders who accused the bank of excessive deductions, unclear fees, and poor response from customer service.

The comments, sourced from platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Nairaland, paint a picture of growing dissatisfaction. Keywords like “bank charge,” “deduct money,” “Access Bank too much,” and “money disappear from account” trended across threads where customers shared personal stories of unexpected withdrawals from their accounts — often without alerts or explanations.

A user named Chinenye from Lagos wrote, “They deducted N450 three times in two days. When I asked, they said it was for ‘electronic maintenance fee.’ Maintenance for what? My money is disappearing monthly.” Another user, Sulaimon from Ilorin, echoed the sentiment, saying, “I’m scared to check my account balance. Every time, something goes missing — N15 here, N50 there. It adds up. Access Bank needs to explain.”

The uproar gained momentum when a financial influencer shared screenshots of deductions from his personal account and urged others to speak up. Within hours, the post garnered thousands of replies, opening a floodgate of similar experiences.

Many users alleged that Access Bank frequently deducts charges labeled “SMS Alert,” “e-levy,” “maintenance fee,” and “VAT” without clear notification or justification. While most agreed that banks are allowed to charge service fees, they emphasized that the lack of transparency was the real issue.

An advocacy group for financial rights, Consumers Against Unfair Banking, has since weighed in, calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to investigate what they described as “systematic fleecing of vulnerable customers.” According to their spokesperson, “The problem is not just Access Bank. But they seem to top the chart in public complaints lately. Over 4,600 comments in just days is not a coincidence — it’s a crisis of confidence.”

In response, Access Bank issued a short statement via its verified handle: “We take our customers’ concerns seriously. We encourage anyone experiencing unusual deductions to reach out via DM or our official support channels for investigation and resolution.”

However, many see this as insufficient, arguing that the bank should proactively review its charges and improve transparency.

This flashback stands as a reflection of deep-seated frustrations with digital banking practices in Nigeria, especially at a time when every naira counts in households battling inflation and rising living costs.

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