How HDFC Bank uses Strategy to Sue Saving Account Customers
Posted on 04. Aug, 2010 by Sankaranand in Personal
Long back i was in search of a good private bank that provides reliable services and good customer relation. So after several reviews and suggestions from experts i decided to go with HDFC due to its reasonable Quarterly Average Balance which is INR5000. HDFC provides almost all the features of a good end bank with many benefits and security but today everything changed up down when i was checking my online statement and found something like AQB SER CHGS INC ST & CESS APR-JUN2010 with a Debit of INR827.25. A simple Google search explained me that it is nothing but a fee for not maintaining an Average Quarterly Minimum balance.
I am very concerned about maintaining the records and managing the finance. I always stick to use and get addicted using my online bank accounts but then i am still not able to get an idea of why HDFC would charge me INR827.25 even though i take care to maintain my minimum balance always. But then some consumer and complaint forums had the answer. HDFC has changed their AQB from INR5000 to INR10,000. So by this way a bank customer gets to know about the change in Banking Policy and that too very critical important information like change in AQB.
HDFC Bank does a the following:
- Calls a Customer every occasion to inform about new offers, car loans, free credit card, insurance
- Sends ATM pin no via First class Indian Courier Company
- Asks to Fill a form for Third Party Fund Transfer
- Even sends a Representative to customers house for opening a new current account
But things like change in the AQB is not a critical matter of information right ? Why should we inform our customers, let us post a small snippet of information in the very corner of website in between promotional offers so customers might not be aware of it and we can charge them because they are weak in math.
Finally i had to call HDFC Phone banking service. It is a big puzzle game to play, you have to find the right option to connect a phone banker, if you click any other option then you end up with a single choice PRESS ZERO to QUIT. Seriously i do not know how i won this game, the phone banker is on line and i told him the whole situation. The kind hearted person at the other end tells me that my AQB is INR10,000 not INR5000. So i asked him all the questions you would ask if you were in my shoes, She told me that “they had mentioned about the change in the footer of the January Bank Statement” and even sent a private letter informing it. I don’t get statements becoz i opted for E-Statements nor did i got one private letter.
As you very well know E-Statements are attached PDFs with password protection. I used to check my E-Statements but there is no mention of it except the covering letter of some two months Email statement which has a four line information of change in AQB without any highlighting. The Email they send you is a big one with a lot of commercial offers listed in the first place and important information in the middle. Would someone care to read an email with 1500 words or just check the attached statement ?
I have a saving account and a current account with HDFC. Now my final decision would be to close it, never mind if they waive me of the fine. Your comments and critics are really appreciated !
Tweets that mention How HDFC Bank uses Strategy to Sue Saving Account Customers -- Topsy.com
Aug 5th, 2010
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tech iPod, Sankaranand. Sankaranand said: How HDFC Bank uses Strategy to Sue Saving Account Customers http://goo.gl/fb/MiXek [...]
Prawesh kumar
Jun 18th, 2011
Hi,
Mine is a stunner.I got a collection call from bank on tuesday for my carloan.As I travel frequently I miss depositing in my account (its not a salary account).I gave the date for payment in cash on thursday 16th of June.I paid with fine as well.but same day they took money frm my account.I realised this yesterday evening when I had my car given for service and I had it delivered.when I checkd account it had no money.nodal officer call centre no answers.Now they are telling minimum 4 days!I am left embarassed and mentally harassed.But I am not leaving them this time.I am writing to RBI with other old experiences and will also put a case and sue them.Join me,write to me on praweshkumar@hotmail.com we would have bank sued for all our woes.People in US sue for small mistakes let’s see how is system here.More the cases more the damage we would put.I would also seek RTI on complains base of bank and have such customer reached to build a more stronger case
sameer
Mar 23rd, 2011
I had the same experience with ICICI Bank early on, the onus is on us to accept this lying down or raise your voice against such cronies and create awareness among the general public.the facilities on offer make us choose their services but after reading this i feel the PSU banks are better off compared to these guys as they are also upgrading their services and with competition should be at at par with their services in the near future.
sameer
Mar 23rd, 2011
I had the same experience with ICICI Bank early on, the onus is on us to accept this lying down or raise your voice against such cronies and create awareness among the general public.the facilities on offer make us choose their services but after reading this i feel the PSU banks are better off compared to these guys as they are also upgrading their services and with competition should be at at par with their services in the near future.
hdfcltd
Jul 4th, 2011
HDFC’S Saving account aqb is reduced then before aqb its good thing to who r open in new account in HDFC.
—————-
Banu
Ram
Aug 28th, 2011
You can deposit 5 times a month only in Your HDFC account, This is what they said. you will be charged 110 Rs per each deposit after that.!!!
what a shame..
Check value for money on packaged account prices | Insurance Auto 911
Oct 12th, 2011
[...] standard current account [overdraft facility] [hi folks]Trauma Life Insurance Versus CloseHow HDFC Bank uses Strategy to Sue Saving Account Customers function quick_contact_send() { //Send Message Ajax Call //Deactivate submit button var [...]