Complaint against IndusInd Bank

[shivanandshrivastava007]

My father opened an account in IndusInd Bank years ago, which started as a salary account. Since salary accounts don’t require a minimum balance, we never had to worry about keeping a certain amount in it. Even after he retired in 2018, he kept using the account, and for a long time, the balance stayed around ₹1 lakh. We never noticed any maintenance charges being deducted during that time. In 2021, we thought of closing the account because he wasn’t using it much, and he already had two other bank accounts. We were also worried that if we couldn't keep the balance high, the bank might start charging us. When we went to the branch to close it, an employee requested us to keep it open. They told us that my father had been a loyal customer for over 25 years and promised that the account would remain a zero-balance account. So, we decided not to close it. But last year, the bank suddenly started deducting maintenance charges. We went back to the branch and reminded them of the promise made earlier. We also pointed out that we never received any message or notice from the bank saying the account type had changed. But they refused to refund the deducted charges. They kept deducting fees every month, and eventually, the account went into a negative balance. As per RBI rules, this isn’t allowed in a savings account. A few months ago, my father accidentally transferred money to this account instead of another one, and since the balance was negative, that money was automatically used to cover the charges. I called customer care to explain everything and asked for a refund, but the staff were extremely rude. I also mentioned the RBI rule about not allowing negative balances in savings accounts, but they arrogantly claimed they were unaware of any such circular. They continue to deduct charges even though the account is already in negative balance. I now want to file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman. I’m seeking a refund of the money that was wrongly adjusted, and also compensation for the rude and unprofessional behavior of the bank staff. What should I do next?

 

[surojitLaha]

My father opened an account in IndusInd Bank years ago, which started as a salary account. Since salary accounts don’t require a minimum balance, we never had to worry about keeping a certain amount in it. Even after he retired in 2018, he kept using the account, and for a long time, the balance stayed around ₹1 lakh. We never noticed any maintenance charges being deducted during that time. In 2021, we thought of closing the account because he wasn’t using it much, and he already had two other bank accounts. We were also worried that if we couldn't keep the balance high, the bank might start charging us. When we went to the branch to close it, an employee requested us to keep it open. They told us that my father had been a loyal customer for over 25 years and promised that the account would remain a zero-balance account. So, we decided not to close it. But last year, the bank suddenly started deducting maintenance charges. We went back to the branch and reminded them of the promise made earlier. We also pointed out that we never received any message or notice from the bank saying the account type had changed. But they refused to refund the deducted charges. They kept deducting fees every month, and eventually, the account went into a negative balance. As per RBI rules, this isn’t allowed in a savings account. A few months ago, my father accidentally transferred money to this account instead of another one, and since the balance was negative, that money was automatically used to cover the charges. I called customer care to explain everything and asked for a refund, but the staff were extremely rude. I also mentioned the RBI rule about not allowing negative balances in savings accounts, but they arrogantly claimed they were unaware of any such circular. They continue to deduct charges even though the account is already in negative balance. I now want to file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman. I’m seeking a refund of the money that was wrongly adjusted, and also compensation for the rude and unprofessional behavior of the bank staff. What should I do next?

I don't think anything can be done.
Maybe @SJM dada can help you out with this

 

[SJM]

I don't think anything can be done.
Maybe @SJM dada can help you out with this

My father opened an account in IndusInd Bank years ago, which started as a salary account. Since salary accounts don’t require a minimum balance, we never had to worry about keeping a certain amount in it. Even after he retired in 2018, he kept using the account, and for a long time, the balance stayed around ₹1 lakh. We never noticed any maintenance charges being deducted during that time. In 2021, we thought of closing the account because he wasn’t using it much, and he already had two other bank accounts. We were also worried that if we couldn't keep the balance high, the bank might start charging us. When we went to the branch to close it, an employee requested us to keep it open. They told us that my father had been a loyal customer for over 25 years and promised that the account would remain a zero-balance account. So, we decided not to close it. But last year, the bank suddenly started deducting maintenance charges. We went back to the branch and reminded them of the promise made earlier. We also pointed out that we never received any message or notice from the bank saying the account type had changed. But they refused to refund the deducted charges. They kept deducting fees every month, and eventually, the account went into a negative balance. As per RBI rules, this isn’t allowed in a savings account. A few months ago, my father accidentally transferred money to this account instead of another one, and since the balance was negative, that money was automatically used to cover the charges. I called customer care to explain everything and asked for a refund, but the staff were extremely rude. I also mentioned the RBI rule about not allowing negative balances in savings accounts, but they arrogantly claimed they were unaware of any such circular. They continue to deduct charges even though the account is already in negative balance. I now want to file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman. I’m seeking a refund of the money that was wrongly adjusted, and also compensation for the rude and unprofessional behavior of the bank staff. What should I do next?

Complaint to RBIO. Deducting charges which makes account negative is not allowed. But for charges deducted as long was account was in positive you cannot do anything as verbal commitment is not acceptable.

 

[Anupama_Jha]

Complaint to RBIO. Deducting charges which makes account negative is not allowed. But for charges deducted as long was account was in positive you cannot do anything as verbal commitment is not acceptable.

Nothing will happen. Bank will simply reply saying "Account wasn't in minus, but lien was getting placed each month" for service charges

Have seen many similar cases

 

[theflash]

Complaint to RBIO. Deducting charges which makes account negative is not allowed. But for charges deducted as long was account was in positive you cannot do anything as verbal commitment is not acceptable.

Nothing happens even if we have email. I'm experiencing it currently with BOB. I was requesting for a new DC online from NB and I selected Opulence DC by mistake in Dec'24. I had never maintained 10L QAB/MAB in my life in that account still a DC was issued. As soon as I got to know about the blunder I raised an complaint on their portal I received a reply that the card has been blocked but I need to pay Joining Fees. Then I escalated and I was initially told no fees charged lateron when we visited branch to close account we were told charges are visible. After that I mailed again and I was told we'll "reverse the charges". Post that ig I contacted them and they said we won't reverse the charges or I escalated it to RBI O and then received a reply we won't reverse the charges. So basically Email confirmation also doesn't give surety it's bank's will to or not to refund/reverse charges. Received reply from RBI that RE is correct in this case and ig the case will be closed in a next few days as well.