HDFC Complaint: Add on card reactivated after more than 3 months

[kiwi195]

Hello fellow members, I need your advice regarding a complaint with HDFC Bank.

As the title mentions, I used to hold a DCB Metal add on card back in March. On march 31, I raised a closure request since I no longer needed it and the add-on card was closed on 5 April, along with a closure email. It began showing as inactive on the app.

On July 14, I was checking my cards section in the HDFC app and was surprised to see the add on card active once again. I immediately raised a closure request and sent an email to grievance redressal asking for an explanation for the same.

After a couple of follow up emails, I received two replies from the grievance team: The first one mentioning it was successfully closed on April 4 2025; and a second one saying it was closed on July 17 after my closure request, although there was no explanation in either email.

I proceeded to send an email to the PNO asking for the reasoning for the same and due compensation for the lapse in their systems.
Today (July 30), I received a call from my RM explaining some kind of high block and a lot of bullshit with regard to the primary card as to why the add on got reactivated.
He proceeded to offer me a Rs. 500 voucher as compensation. Upon further discussion, he agreed to push for a higher amount.

We acknowledge that a card closure request was submitted via Mycards on March 31, 2025. Consequently, the Add-on credit card account ending in XXXX has been permanently deactivated for further use as of April 05, 2025.

We have noted that the cardholder, identified by the number XXXX – Primary Holder, contacted the bank in July 2025 regarding concerns related to the aforementioned card in which you are the addon card holder of this card. Unfortunately, it appears that the block was applied to the floater addon card XXXX on July 11, 2025. We regret for any inconvenience that may have caused you in this regard.

Additionally, you submitted a card closure request on July 14, 2025, through the Mycard application, and as a result, your card was permanently closed on July 16, 2025.

On receipt of your recent interaction our Relationship Manager Mr. Ankit Mishra had contact you on July 29, 2025 and clarified the reason for card closure and offered voucher.

In light of your recent communication, we have evaluated your request for compensation. Taking all circumstances into account, we are prepared to offer a gift voucher valued at Rs.1000.00 as compensation. We kindly ask for your affirmative response via return email by August 05, 2025, and to confirm the brand name (Flipkart, Amazon, Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop, Myntra) to facilitate further assistance.

I wish to know, is the RBI compensation of Rs 100/day upon failing to close a card within 7 days applicable here? I'm sure that an RBI Ombudsman complaint will be dodged by HDFC with some lame reasoning and of course the banking authority will also side with the bank as usual.
Should I push for further compensation or accept this voucher?

 

[Manishg]

Hello fellow members, I need your advice regarding a complaint with HDFC Bank.

As the title mentions, I used to hold a DCB Metal add on card back in March. On march 31, I raised a closure request since I no longer needed it and the add-on card was closed on 5 April, along with a closure email. It began showing as inactive on the app.

On July 14, I was checking my cards section in the HDFC app and was surprised to see the add on card active once again. I immediately raised a closure request and sent an email to grievance redressal asking for an explanation for the same.

After a couple of follow up emails, I received two replies from the grievance team: The first one mentioning it was successfully closed on April 4 2025; and a second one saying it was closed on July 17 after my closure request, although there was no explanation in either email.

I proceeded to send an email to the PNO asking for the reasoning for the same and due compensation for the lapse in their systems.
Today (July 30), I received a call from my RM explaining some kind of high block and a lot of bullshit with regard to the primary card as to why the add on got reactivated.
He proceeded to offer me a Rs. 500 voucher as compensation. Upon further discussion, he agreed to push for a higher amount.


I wish to know, is the RBI compensation of Rs 100/day upon failing to close a card within 7 days applicable here? I'm sure that an RBI Ombudsman complaint will be dodged by HDFC with some lame reasoning and of course the banking authority will also side with the bank as usual.
Should I push for further compensation or accept this voucher?

RBI rule is 500/day not 100/day and yes your case is eligible and according to your information 8 April is last working day means 7th working day for bank to close the card.
And from 9 April to 17 July, nearly 100 days passed.

Thus you should get R's 50000 almost compensation.

But, write whole matter clearly, and attach all documents also. Otherwise, they tend to bank decision.

You should go and file complaint. But before that ask from bank itself. If they deny that is most likely, go for it and also don't take gift vouchers if they agree also, ask for real monetary compensation to credit it in bank account.

HDFC is very clever they offer vouchers in place of real cash. They do business in paying compensation also.

 

[kiwi195]

RBI rule is 500/day not 100/day and yes your case is eligible and according to your information 8 April is last working day means 7th working day for bank to close the card.
And from 9 April to 17 July, nearly 100 days passed.

Thus you should get R's 50000 almost compensation.

But, write whole matter clearly, and attach all documents also. Otherwise, they tend to bank decision.

You should go and file complaint. But before that ask from bank itself. If they deny that is most likely, go for it and also don't take gift vouchers if they agree also, ask for real monetary compensation to credit it in bank account.

HDFC is very clever they offer vouchers in place of real cash. They do business in paying compensation also.

I feel the bank will find some sort of loophole since it’s an add on card. Could you please share a link for the RBI 500/day rule? I’m glad I asked here, I was misinformed 😆

 

[Manishg]

I feel the bank will find some sort of loophole since it’s an add on card. Could you please share a link for the RBI 500/day rule? I’m glad I asked here, I was misinformed 😆

I can't find link but I know rules that's why I told you you can prove with mail received from them. Also, there is no harm in try. RBI rule states if you had closed card account so in that add on cards are also included.

 

[kiwi195]

@SJM Please share your insights

 

[Manishg]

@SJM Please share your insights

What I had told you all things what more you want to ask?

Actually when you close credit card account, in that all cards are included add on card also. It is as RBI guidelines.