Loblaw checks coin machines after TD is sued

Canada’s largest grocery chain says it’s trying to verify the accuracy of the coin-counting kiosks in its stores after TD Bank got rid of similar machines from its branches over allegations that they’ve been nickel-and-diming customers.

“We are aware of the concerns recently raised about coin-counting machines,” Loblaw spokesman Kevin Groh said. “We have been working with Coinstar to confirm the accuracy of the coin-counting machines located in our stores and have no current plans to remove the machines.”

The coin-counting machines located in Loblaw stores are owned and operated by U.S.-based Coinstar, the same company that owned and operated the machines that TD Bank pulled from its Canadian branches in May. Last month, a class-action lawsuit was filed against TD on behalf of everyone who used the coin-counting machines at the bank’s branches between Jan. 1, 2013, and May 25, 2016.

Grocery store chain Metro also has Coinstar machines in its stores. A spokeswoman said the company has not received any complaints about the machines and therefore has no plans to remove them.

But Metro will continue to monitor the machines to “ensure our customers’ satisfaction,” Genevieve Gregoire said in an email.

The lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit is Lisa Ram, a woman

We have been working with Coinstar to confirm the accuracy of the coin-counting machines ...

from Kitchener, Ont., who says she counted her coins before depositing them in a machine at a TD Bank in the city. Ram says she had a total of $854.25, but was shortchanged by $159.50.

She alleges she complained to the bank but it failed to do anything.