News / National
Mobile network operators urged to improve security for money transfer agents
13 Mar 2015 at 11:38hrs | Views
Mobile Network services that provide money transfer services through their agents have been urged to tighten their security systems so as to reduce the number of defraud cases.
Since the introduction of mobile transfer there have been a number of cases were agents have either been stolen from or have been given fake notes.
This has raised concern over the safety of the agents themselves and people's money as they at times handle large amounts of cash.
In an interview with Radio Dialogue, Mobile Money Tranfer Agent association President. Francis Chinjekure noted that trainings given to agents were not enough.
"This is actually a serious issue that we have been lobby for. There is not really much physical security measures provided for by the mobile network operators when it comes to money handling. Last year we had a case were someone stole from an ecocash agent and ran away.
It is up to the agents themselves take measures to tighten security, The training that they are given is simply basic training that requires them to look with their eyes to check if notes are fake."
Asked whether the trainings were enough and up to standard , Mr Chinjekure stated that "most of them call us only when they are launching a new product or item , otherwise when looking at the trainings given, there is not much that is done."
In another separate interview with Radio Dialogue Bankers Association of Zimbabwe Clive Mphambela encouraged mobile network operators to be more serious about training their agents thoroughly.
"The BAZ does not have any agreement with the mobile network operators with regards to training of their agents. However such training should be availed. We do encourage mobile money transfer agents to be trained in handling cash for public confidence.
As Banks we have anti-money laundering systems and if there is any fake note it is detected and thus in Banks are secure from fake notes.
In an interview, one eco-cash agent noted that had been taught to handle the money by their mother and that they did not go for any special training.
Another Telecash agent noted , "yes we did go for some trainings but l cannot say they were as serious as the ones at the banks were people trained for a long time."
Since the introduction of mobile transfer there have been a number of cases were agents have either been stolen from or have been given fake notes.
This has raised concern over the safety of the agents themselves and people's money as they at times handle large amounts of cash.
In an interview with Radio Dialogue, Mobile Money Tranfer Agent association President. Francis Chinjekure noted that trainings given to agents were not enough.
"This is actually a serious issue that we have been lobby for. There is not really much physical security measures provided for by the mobile network operators when it comes to money handling. Last year we had a case were someone stole from an ecocash agent and ran away.
It is up to the agents themselves take measures to tighten security, The training that they are given is simply basic training that requires them to look with their eyes to check if notes are fake."
Asked whether the trainings were enough and up to standard , Mr Chinjekure stated that "most of them call us only when they are launching a new product or item , otherwise when looking at the trainings given, there is not much that is done."
In another separate interview with Radio Dialogue Bankers Association of Zimbabwe Clive Mphambela encouraged mobile network operators to be more serious about training their agents thoroughly.
"The BAZ does not have any agreement with the mobile network operators with regards to training of their agents. However such training should be availed. We do encourage mobile money transfer agents to be trained in handling cash for public confidence.
As Banks we have anti-money laundering systems and if there is any fake note it is detected and thus in Banks are secure from fake notes.
In an interview, one eco-cash agent noted that had been taught to handle the money by their mother and that they did not go for any special training.
Another Telecash agent noted , "yes we did go for some trainings but l cannot say they were as serious as the ones at the banks were people trained for a long time."
Source - news
