Withdrawing money from an ATM continues to be a routine gesture for most people, but in a context of greater financial surveillance and strict security rules, some behaviors may raise questions from banks. It is in this context that doubts arise when cash withdrawals are repeated throughout the month, especially for private customers.
In Portugal, Multibanco is the simplest and most common way to access cash. However, several withdrawals in a short space of time can be considered an unusual pattern and lead to requests for clarification from the banking institution, according to the lifestyle website Inconveniente.
Why the bank may ask for explanations
Making multiple withdrawals in a month is neither illegal nor prohibited. Even so, when these occur within a short period of time or deviate from the account holder’s normal behavior, they can be flagged by internal control systems.
These checks are linked to the rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, which oblige banks to monitor movements considered atypical. The objective is not to penalize the customer, but to ensure that the funds have a legitimate origin.
What can happen in practice
In most cases, the consequence is limited to contact from the bank asking for clarification. You may be asked to explain the reason for the withdrawals or to provide simple evidence, such as receipts, contracts or invoices.
In specific situations, there may be a temporary retention of operations until the information is validated. This procedure is normal and is part of the account protection mechanisms and the institution itself, according to the same source.
Movements that usually generate alerts
Some behaviors tend to more easily attract the attention of control services. These include frequent withdrawals outside the usual pattern, amounts exceeding the customer’s history or repeated transfers to third parties.
The use of private ATMs, especially with associated fees, can also change the movement profile and generate additional doubts, as it deviates from the typical use of Multibanco.
Imagine a customer who starts to withdraw 100 euros several times to pay for local services in cash. The bank may call just to confirm the situation. Upon presentation of the receipts, the matter is resolved without further consequences. Transparency is usually enough to quickly close any request for clarification.
How to avoid fees when withdrawing money
One of the main ‘traps’ is private ATMs. Whenever possible, you should use boxes with the Multibanco logo. If a fee warning appears on the screen before confirmation, it is a sign that it is a private machine and you should cancel the operation.
Another common situation occurs abroad. When the cashier asks whether you want to pay in euros or the local currency, choosing the local currency is almost always more advantageous, as it avoids conversion fees imposed by the machine itself, according to the previously mentioned source.
Pay attention to the conditions of digital banks
Many digital banks offer free withdrawals only up to a certain monthly limit. After that, they start charging percentage commissions. It is important to confirm the ceiling included in your plan and monitor your statement to avoid unexpected costs at the end of the month.
If you need an amount greater than the card’s daily limit, which normally varies between 200 and 500 euros, the most sensible thing to do is ask for a temporary increase in the limit. This request can be made through the bank’s application or by telephone and avoids the need to make several withdrawals on consecutive days, also reducing the likelihood of automatic alerts.
When and how to ask for a limit increase
According to the same source, it is best to ask for the increase in advance, especially in predictable situations such as travel, moving house or extraordinary expenses. The bank carries out a simple analysis of the account history and may authorize a temporary increase.
In some cases, additional documentation may be requested, especially if the value is high or the period is long. Refusing or proposing an intermediate limit is part of the normal security process.
If the bank asks for clarification, what to do
The best approach is to respond clearly and objectively. You must present documents that prove the origin of the money, such as receipts, contracts, proof of sales or transfers.
When the explanation is simple and consistent, the process is usually resolved quickly. The important thing is not to omit information and keep an organized record of cash transactions.
Organization avoids headaches
Maintaining active alerts on your cell phone, regularly checking your statement and keeping receipts helps to avoid unnecessary stress. Small financial organization habits make all the difference when requests for clarification arise, according to .
Basically, raising money continues to be normal. What changed was the context. A little planning and transparency is enough to continue using Multibanco without surprises or complications.
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