The Bank of Maldives (BML) has warned that it will take action against customers who misuse the foreign transaction limits for debit cards.

Since November 11, the foreign transaction limit has been increased to USD 1000, while the limit for buying tickets, making hotel bookings and health care payments using debit cards was increased to USD 3000.

In a statement on Sunday, the national bank said some customers were misusing the increased foreign transaction limit.

"One customer was found to have taken more than 100 debit cards abroad and used them at a particular merchant's card machine to obtain foreign currency," the bank said.

BML said it was against policy to give the card to someone else and said those who abuse the card limit will be reported to the relevant authorities. The bank also warned that the foreign transaction limit could be reduced.