ATM Brief: Poll Suggests Dramatic Reaction to Surcharges

Eighty percent of consumers in a recent survey said they would change their automated teller machine habits because of surcharges.

Of 1,300 people polled, 17% said they would stop using ATMs if they had to pay the extra charge that MasterCard and Visa have let ATM owners nationwide impose since April.

More than half in the survey, conducted by the consulting firm Carmody & Bloom, said they would use only proprietary ATMs - those of their own banks. And many said they would switch to an institution with more ATMs.

More than one out of three said they would use ATMs less often, withdrawing more money each time.

Half said they would change their behavior if the surcharge were 75 cents, but 81% said they would change at $1.

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