Indecopi on fine to Interbank: “Consumers can make payments at the window for any amount”

The National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (indecopi) fined Interbank in the second instance for not allowing a user to make a payment for S/267 at the window at his agency in Paita, Piura. The sanction of S/34,105.50 (6.89 UIT) also came with a corrective measure so that the bank train your staff to avoid similar situations in the future. After the note published in La República, the State entity ruled on the case.

Indecopi on fine to Interbank: “Consumers can make payments at the window for any amount”

The Specialized Chamber for Consumer Protection of the indecopi sanctioned Interbank in second instance after verifying that, without there being a justification, this entity prevented a user in Paita (Piura), who made the complaint, from paying S/267 at the agency window. The entity’s press release stated that “consumers can make over-the-counter payments for any amount.”

Thus, through Resolution 2019-2023/SPC-INDECOPI, the sanction imposed on the bank in the first instance was confirmed, given that it did not disregard the restriction. Similarly, when the consumer’s complaint was addressed, no evidence was presented to deny the complaint.

The resolution area of ​​Indecopi highlighted that “There is no impediment for consumers to make payments for the amount they consider”. Thus, this bank violated articles 18 and 19 of the Consumer Protection and Defense Code. Also, within 15 business days, Interbank You must train your staff so that they can allow consumers to carry out cash-in-the-counter payment operations for smaller amounts.

What does the Indecopi resolution say?

Indecopi, in its resolution 2019-2023/SPC-INDECOPI, indicated the following: “The resolution that came to an end, which declared the complaint filed against Banco Internacional del Perú SAA inadmissible, is revoked – Interbank regarding the alleged lack of timely attention to the claim filed by the complainant on January 8, 2022; and, consequently, it is declared admissible. In this sense, it is provided that the Consumer Protection Commission – South Lima Headquarters No. 1, as soon as possible, issue a pronouncement on the merits of the controversy on this point.”

In addition, the document confirmed “the resolution came to an end, to the extent that it declared the complaint filed against Banco Internacional del Perú SAA – Interbank founded, since it did not allow it to make the payment of S/267 at the teller window“.