ICICI Bank Mis-Sold Me a Credit Card – Beware!

[Atul580]

ICICI Bank called me, offering a lifetime free upgrade to their Sapphiro Credit Card. But after getting the card, I found out:
❌ It wasn’t lifetime free—they misled me about fees.
❌ They issued a new card instead of an upgrade, risking my CIBIL score.
❌ The ₹1,000 Tata Cliq voucher they promised wasn’t delivered.

After escalating to RBI Ombudsman, they forced ICICI to:
✔ Convert the card to lifetime free
✔ Process the ₹1,000 voucher
✔ Confirm no CIBIL impact

My issue was solved but in mail they didn't accept their mis selling, they told rbi that they have told me about fyf but they told me after issuing card after i asked to customer care for not Receiving any mentioning of ltf neither in mail not in welcome letter. how one of the big financial institutions can get away with this , they should just apologise for their deeds

 

[NABNAB is verified member.]

ICICI always processes the upgrade this way only. It won't affect your CIBIL, as it will be linked to the same CC account only.

For 1000 Voucher, some minimum spend is required. You did that?

 

[Atul580]

ICICI always processes the upgrade this way only. It won't affect your CIBIL, as it will be linked to the same CC account only.

For 1000 Voucher, some minimum spend is required. You did that?

Yes I have done that and I will get voucher.
It’s frustrating how they can blatantly lie about things and then manipulate the situation to prove me wrong in front of RBI. If this is how it works, they can say anything about anything they want and just get away with it.

 

[Salman925492]

ICICI Bank called me, offering a lifetime free upgrade to their Sapphiro Credit Card. But after getting the card, I found out:
❌ It wasn’t lifetime free—they misled me about fees.
❌ They issued a new card instead of an upgrade, risking my CIBIL score.
❌ The ₹1,000 Tata Cliq voucher they promised wasn’t delivered.

After escalating to RBI Ombudsman, they forced ICICI to:
✔ Convert the card to lifetime free
✔ Process the ₹1,000 voucher
✔ Confirm no CIBIL impact

My issue was solved but in mail they didn't accept their mis selling, they told rbi that they have told me about fyf but they told me after issuing card after i asked to customer care for not Receiving any mentioning of ltf neither in mail not in welcome letter. how one of the big financial institutions can get away with this , they should just apologise for their deeds

This what exactly happened with me last 27/03/2025.
After mailed to Customer care.
I got this reply We are writing to address your query regarding Credit Card XXXXxx03 and XXXXxx08. We understand your concern.
As per our records, your credit card is a first-year free card and annual fees are applicable from the second year onwards.
The details of the fees applicable to your credit card are as follows:
- Joining fee: Nil
- Annual fee: 3,500 + GST (Waived off if spends exceed 6,00,000 in the previous year)
- Add-on Card: 199 + GST
Please note that no joining benefits will be applicable to first-year free cards.
If you require a Rupay variant, you may directly apply from our website at https://www.icicibank.com. Under the Products section, select 'Credit Cards', then choose and compare the best credit card and click on "Apply Now.


Now i again mailed specifically how you mis selling credit card pretending to offers some voucher now they likely to admitting thier fault.

Here thier latest reply.
We are writing to address your query regarding Credit Card XXXXxx3 and XXXX3xx8.
We understand your feedback and assure you that we are taking all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening again.
We value all our customers and appreciate your input, which will help us to reflect on our processes and make improvements to deliver better service.
We are committed to providing high-quality service and are continually investing in staff training to ensure that our customers receive the best possible experience.
Please confirm if you would like to cancel your Credit Card XXXXxxx3 and XXXXxx08.

What should I do...? Should I escalate to next level or directly go TO RBI Ombudsman...?

 

[Salman925492]

ICICI Bank called me, offering a lifetime free upgrade to their Sapphiro Credit Card. But after getting the card, I found out:
❌ It wasn’t lifetime free—they misled me about fees.
❌ They issued a new card instead of an upgrade, risking my CIBIL score.
❌ The ₹1,000 Tata Cliq voucher they promised wasn’t delivered.

After escalating to RBI Ombudsman, they forced ICICI to:
✔ Convert the card to lifetime free
✔ Process the ₹1,000 voucher
✔ Confirm no CIBIL impact

My issue was solved but in mail they didn't accept their mis selling, they told rbi that they have told me about fyf but they told me after issuing card after i asked to customer care for not Receiving any mentioning of ltf neither in mail not in welcome letter. how one of the big financial institutions can get away with this , they should just apologise for their deeds

Bro can you share both draft emails which u have sent to ICICI and rbio...?

 

[Atul580]

Bro can you share both draft emails which u have sent to ICICI and rbio..

No need to mail icici many times, they will stick to their first reply.
Just simply register complaint to cms rbi site and just fill form and explain it as it is as happened to you,
After complaint just sit and no need to worry, they will convert it to ltf and voucher. JUST STICK TO YOUR CONDITION
CONVERT MY CARD TO LTF AS TOLD BY CC BY VERBAL CONVERSATION
ISSUE ME MY GIFT VOUCHERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE whichever they told you while initial conversation
WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FOR LTF PROOF FOR FUTURE PROOFS
SORRY FROM THEIR SIDE IF THEY ACCEPT

 

[Salman925492]

they will stick to their first reply.

Yes bro from level 1 to level 3 pno they are saying same thing.
But when I got call from customer representative regarding CC he said Free then only I said yes.
First he said No Joining fee no annual fee CC THEN I said i dont want then he said we're giving "free" again so I decided to get the cc.
After I email to customer.care@icicibank.com tgey are asking to close the card. They said no joining benefits to fyf. He said he'll send whatever he told on call he'll send it on email but I didn't received yet till today.

 

[Salman925492]

Bro please give me the draft copy " fact of complaint " which u wrote on cms portal

 

[Atul580]

Bro please give me the draft copy " fact of complaint " which u wrote on cms portal

Here is your draft copy

Subject: Urgent: Mis-selling of Sapphiro Credit Card, Unauthorized Issuance, and Missing Tata Cliq Voucher
I am writing to formally escalate my complaint regarding the mis-selling of the Sapphiro credit card and the subsequent issues related to its issuance.
On January 9, 2025, at 3:20 PM, I received a call from an ICICI Bank representative offering an upgrade to a Sapphiro credit card with zero joining and annual fees (lifetime free card). Based on this assurance, I agreed to proceed with the upgrade. However, upon receiving the card on January 20, 2025, I found no mention of the lifetime free status in the accompanying documentation.

Key Issues:
1. Misrepresentation of Fees:
I was assured that the Sapphiro card was lifetime free, but later communication from ICICI Bank stated that it is only free for the first year.
This directly contradicts the information provided during the initial call.

2. Unauthorized Issuance of a New Credit Card Instead of an Upgrade:

I was told this was an upgrade from my existing Coral credit card.

However, my Coral credit card is still active, meaning that instead of an upgrade, a new card was issued, which was never informed to me.

This could negatively impact my credit score due to an unnecessary additional credit line.

3. Non-receipt of Tata Cliq Voucher (First Transaction Offer)
As per the offer communicated during the call, I was promised a Tata Cliq voucher upon making my first transaction within 30 days of card activation.
I completed the first transaction within the given period, but to date, I have not received the promised voucher.
Requested Actions:

1. Honor the Original Offer: Convert my Sapphiro credit card to a lifetime free card, as promised during the call.
2. Correct the Account Status: Ensure that the Sapphiro card is processed as an upgrade to my Coral card, not as a new card issuance.
3. Protect My Credit Score: Confirm that this unauthorized new card issuance will not negatively impact my CIBIL score.
4. Issue the Missing Tata Cliq Voucher: Process the voucher immediately, as I met the required transaction criteria within 30 days.

I have attached the call recording from January 9, 2025, which clearly proves that I was misled.
I request a written resolution within 7 days. If this matter is not resolved satisfactorily, I will be forced to escalate it to the Banking Ombudsman (RBI).
Looking forward to your prompt action.
Sincerely,
Your name

 

[Salman925492]

Here is your draft copy

Subject: Urgent: Mis-selling of Sapphiro Credit Card, Unauthorized Issuance, and Missing Tata Cliq Voucher
I am writing to formally escalate my complaint regarding the mis-selling of the Sapphiro credit card and the subsequent issues related to its issuance.
On January 9, 2025, at 3:20 PM, I received a call from an ICICI Bank representative offering an upgrade to a Sapphiro credit card with zero joining and annual fees (lifetime free card). Based on this assurance, I agreed to proceed with the upgrade. However, upon receiving the card on January 20, 2025, I found no mention of the lifetime free status in the accompanying documentation.

Key Issues:
1. Misrepresentation of Fees:
I was assured that the Sapphiro card was lifetime free, but later communication from ICICI Bank stated that it is only free for the first year.
This directly contradicts the information provided during the initial call.

2. Unauthorized Issuance of a New Credit Card Instead of an Upgrade:

I was told this was an upgrade from my existing Coral credit card.

However, my Coral credit card is still active, meaning that instead of an upgrade, a new card was issued, which was never informed to me.

This could negatively impact my credit score due to an unnecessary additional credit line.

3. Non-receipt of Tata Cliq Voucher (First Transaction Offer)
As per the offer communicated during the call, I was promised a Tata Cliq voucher upon making my first transaction within 30 days of card activation.
I completed the first transaction within the given period, but to date, I have not received the promised voucher.
Requested Actions:

1. Honor the Original Offer: Convert my Sapphiro credit card to a lifetime free card, as promised during the call.
2. Correct the Account Status: Ensure that the Sapphiro card is processed as an upgrade to my Coral card, not as a new card issuance.
3. Protect My Credit Score: Confirm that this unauthorized new card issuance will not negatively impact my CIBIL score.
4. Issue the Missing Tata Cliq Voucher: Process the voucher immediately, as I met the required transaction criteria within 30 days.

I have attached the call recording from January 9, 2025, which clearly proves that I was misled.
I request a written resolution within 7 days. If this matter is not resolved satisfactorily, I will be forced to escalate it to the Banking Ombudsman (RBI).
Looking forward to your prompt action.
Sincerely,
Your name

Thank you bhai