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Submit your complaint →Joginder Pal files a detailed complaint against SBI Card, alleging fake promises of a lifetime free SimplySAVE RuPay card. Choice4Voice.com explains the issue, legal remedies, and how consumers can file similar complaints under RBI and Consumer Protection Act.
Complaint Summary : SBI Credit Card Misrepresentation Complaint: Joginder Pal Alleges Fake Promise of Lifetime Free Card
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Joginder Pal |
| lk*****@gmail.com | |
| +9*****39 | |
| Company/Brand | SBI Card |
| Complaint Type | Fake Promise / Misrepresentation |
| Product/Service | SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card |
| Application Number | 2818208054463 |
| Issue Description | Customer alleges SBI representative falsely promised a lifetime free RuPay card but issued a Visa variant with annual charges, followed by lack of accountability from SBI Card. |
| Date of Incident | 1 July 2025 – 7 July 2025 |
| Company’s Response | SBI Card Principal Nodal Officer denies mis-selling claim, citing customer’s digital consent and e-signed documents. |
| Current Status | Unresolved; escalated to National Consumer Forum (Docket No. 7932938) |
Full Complaint Story
Consumer Joginder Pal has raised a serious complaint against SBI Card regarding fake promises, miscommunication, and misleading sales practices.
On 1 July 2025, Joginder received a call from Ms. Anjali Singh, an SBI employee at the Defence Banking Branch, Cantt Lucknow. She offered him a pre-approved lifetime free SBI SimplySAVE RuPay Credit Card, assuring that there would be no joining or annual fees if processed under his pre-approved code.
Since Joginder was not in Lucknow, his father visited the branch to submit documents. The card application was processed under Ms. Anjali’s supervision. Joginder then completed the Video KYC, during which she again confirmed the lifetime free feature.
However, the first verification call mentioned a ₹499 annual charge from the second year onward. Concerned, Joginder contacted Ms. Anjali, who told him to ignore the script and assured him that the fee would be waived if he made a transaction after card activation.
Later, while e-signing the application, Joginder noticed the Visa variant mentioned instead of the RuPay card he had specifically requested. Ms. Anjali again claimed that only RuPay cards were being issued and the online form was outdated.
On 7 July 2025, Joginder received a virtual card—only to discover that it was indeed a Visa variant, contrary to the promise. He contacted Ms. Anjali again, who admitted that it was an underwriting error and claimed to have escalated the matter to the Gurgaon Head Office. She then stopped responding.
Joginder escalated the issue to SBI Card’s Nodal Officer, sharing call recordings as evidence. The Nodal Officer confirmed that Visa was selected during submission—contradicting Ms. Anjali’s repeated statements.
The matter reached Mr. Sanjeev Sharma, Branch Relationship Manager, who acknowledged that Ms. Anjali miscommunicated critical details and informed Joginder that an FIR had been filed against her and termination proceedings were underway.
However, internal pressure within the branch reportedly led to attempts to protect Ms. Anjali from disciplinary action. Mr. Sharma and other officials requested Joginder to withdraw his complaint, which he declined.
After 90 days of follow-ups, the Principal Nodal Officer Team of SBI Card closed the case stating it was “not a mis-sell complaint” since the customer had e-signed the application. Joginder has now escalated the case to the National Consumer Forum (Docket No. 7932938), focusing on institutional accountability, not compensation.
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
At Choice4Voice.com, we help consumers like Joginder Pal when banks or companies fail to resolve genuine grievances. Our assistance includes:
- Publishing verified complaints to hold brands accountable.
- Providing pre-drafted legal templates for consumer forums, ombudsman filings, and official escalations.
- Guiding customers step-by-step through grievance redressal and escalation channels.
- Encouraging transparent communication between brands and consumers to prevent repeat cases of mis-selling.
Applicable Legal Cases
| Law / Regulation | Applicable Section / Description |
|---|---|
| Consumer Protection Act, 2019 | Deficiency in Service and Misrepresentation |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 420 | Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property |
| RBI Fair Practices Code for Credit Card Issuers | Mis-selling and lack of transparency in product communication |
| RBI Ombudsman Scheme (2021) | For deficiency in service and unfair practices by banks/NBFCs |
Departments and Authorities to File Complaint
- SBI Card Grievance Redressal Cell
- Submit written complaint through SBI Card website or nodal officer email.
- Principal Nodal Officer (SBI Card)
- If no resolution within 30 days, escalate with case details and evidence.
- RBI Ombudsman (Digital / Banking)
- File at https://cms.rbi.org.in.
- National Consumer Helpline (NCH)
- Lodge online complaint at https://consumerhelpline.gov.in.
- Consumer Forum / District Commission
- File under “Misrepresentation and Deficiency in Service.”
Step-by-Step Complaint Filing Guide
- Step 1: Lodge Complaint with SBI Card
- Write to SBI Card customer care via their portal or email (head.customercare@sbicard.com).
- Attach application number, conversation summary, and screenshots.
- Step 2: Escalate to Nodal Officer
- If unresolved in 7 days, escalate with call recordings and complaint reference number.
- Step 3: File with RBI Ombudsman
- Use RBI CMS Portal to lodge a formal complaint under deficiency in banking services.
- Step 4: Approach Consumer Forum
- File a case at your district’s Consumer Forum or online via edaakhil.nic.in.
- Step 5: Report Mis-selling to RBI & NPCI
- RBI and NPCI can be notified of repeated branch-level misconduct by attaching evidence of misrepresentation.
Pre-Drafted Legal Complaint Templates
Choice4Voice.com provides ready-to-use, editable templates for:
- Consumer Forum Petition (Misrepresentation Case)
- RBI Ombudsman Complaint Letter
- Bank Nodal Officer Escalation Email
- Branch-level Mis-selling Complaint (Internal Reporting)
- FIR Format for Cheating (IPC 420)
Company Background – SBI Card
- Parent Organization: State Bank of India
- Founded: 1998
- Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana
- Products: Credit cards, EMI loans, insurance-linked cards
- Known Issues Reported by Consumers:
- Miscommunication on card fee structure
- Forced credit card offers
- Delays in reversal of incorrect charges
- Poor branch-level communication
Official Contact Information:
- Website: www.sbicard.com
- Email: head.customercare@sbicard.com
Q&A Section
Q1. What is the main complaint against SBI Card by Joginder Pal?
Joginder Pal alleges that SBI Card staff falsely promised him a lifetime free RuPay card but issued a Visa variant with annual fees.
Q2. Is mis-selling of credit cards punishable under Indian law?
Yes, under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, misrepresentation or false promise during sale constitutes deficiency in service and is legally actionable.
Q3. How can a consumer prove mis-selling?
Consumers can provide call recordings, chat logs, emails, and sales scripts as evidence showing false promises or misinformation.
Q4. What are the RBI rules for fair credit card sales?
RBI mandates that all credit card offers must clearly disclose fees, terms, and benefits. Misrepresentation is a violation of the Fair Practices Code.
Q5. What if a customer signs a form but was misinformed before signing?
If the consumer was misled before signing, they can still file a case for misrepresentation under contract law and consumer protection laws.
Q6. How can I file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman?
Visit cms.rbi.org.in → Select “Credit Card” → Upload documents and submit.
Q7. What is the timeframe for banks to resolve customer grievances?
As per RBI, banks must resolve complaints within 30 days of receiving them.
Q8. Can a customer demand disciplinary action against a bank employee?
Yes, customers can request internal inquiry and disciplinary action against employees responsible for mis-selling.
Q9. What is the difference between RuPay and Visa cards?
RuPay is an Indian payment network supported by NPCI, while Visa is an international network. Consumers often prefer RuPay for domestic rewards and data localization.
Q10. What should I check before accepting a credit card offer?
Always verify the card type, fees, and variant on the Most Important Document (MID) before signing or confirming the application.
Q11. What if a bank refuses to acknowledge miscommunication?
You can escalate the matter to the Consumer Forum or RBI Ombudsman, attaching all proof of communication.
Q12. Can I withdraw a complaint after filing?
Yes, but once escalated to higher authorities, withdrawal should be formally communicated in writing.
Q13. How to track my SBI Card complaint status?
Log in to your SBI Card account or contact customer care with your complaint number.
Q14. What are common signs of credit card mis-selling?
False promises of lifetime free cards, undisclosed annual fees, or card variants issued without consent.
Q15. What happens if I do not activate a mis-sold card?
Non-activation prevents charges, but ensure you send a written request to cancel the card officially.
Q16. Can banks be held liable for employee misconduct?
Yes. Under vicarious liability, a company is responsible for actions of employees performed during official duties.
Q17. What can be claimed in Consumer Court?
You can claim refund, compensation for mental harassment, and penalty for misrepresentation.
Q18. What is the Consumer Court filing limit for individual cases?
District forums handle cases up to ₹50 lakh.
Q19. What should customers do after e-signing a credit card application?
Check your email or SMS confirmation immediately to verify variant, fees, and terms.
Q20. Can Choice4Voice.com assist in drafting an RBI complaint letter?
Yes, Choice4Voice.com provides complete RBI and Consumer Forum templates tailored to such mis-selling disputes.
Author Section
Complainant: Joginder Pal
Profession: Consumer and SBI Card Holder
Complaint Type: Misrepresentation in Credit Card Offer
