Shankar Gnanamurthy exposes Airtel India’s DTH cashback scam after being denied a promised ₹1200 cashback on recharge. Full complaint details, customer insights, and FAQs explained here.
Complaint Summary : Airtel DTH Cashback Scam – Shankar Gnanamurthy vs Airtel India Complaint Highlighted
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Shankar Gnanamurthy |
| Company Involved | Airtel India (Airtel DTH Services) |
| Service/Product | Airtel DTH (Tamil Basic HD Pack) |
| Recharge Amount | ₹3001 |
| Promised Cashback | ₹1200 (via Airtel Thanks App) |
| Issue Raised | Cashback offer shown during recharge was later denied by Airtel, claiming no such offer exists |
| Customer’s Allegation | Cashback Scam, misleading customers |
| DTH ID | 3009556244 |
| Original LinkedIn Post URL | (LinkedIn Post URL) |
| Status | Pending resolution from Airtel |
| Escalation Requested | TRAI intervention and company accountability |
Full Complaint Details
Shankar Gnanamurthy, a verified professional working as Software Quality Engineering MTS at Salesforce, shared a detailed complaint on LinkedIn regarding an alleged cashback scam by Airtel India.
According to Shankar, he recharged his Airtel DTH Tamil Basic HD Pack worth ₹3001 through the official Airtel Thanks App, which displayed a ₹1200 cashback offer. Trusting Airtel’s official platform, he proceeded with the payment.
However, post payment, Airtel’s customer support completely denied the existence of such an offer, claiming that Shankar failed to provide a screenshot of the cashback offer page.
This left the customer feeling cheated and misled, forcing him to raise the issue publicly. Shankar has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to intervene and stop such deceptive practices.
About the Complainant – Shankar Gnanamurthy
Shankar Gnanamurthy is a respected IT professional with expertise in Software Quality Engineering, Web, API, and Mobile Automation Testing. He is associated with Salesforce, serving as a Lead SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test).
By raising this issue publicly, Shankar aims not just to resolve his personal grievance but to warn other Airtel customers about the risks of trusting cashback offers without proof. His credibility as a professional adds seriousness to this complaint.
About the Company – Airtel India
Airtel India, part of Bharti Airtel Limited, is one of India’s largest telecom service providers, offering mobile, broadband, and DTH services. With millions of subscribers, Airtel markets itself as a trusted digital brand.
However, repeated complaints of:
- Hidden charges
- Network issues
- False promotional offers
- Poor customer service
…have been raised across consumer forums and LinkedIn. This particular cashback issue questions Airtel’s transparency and accountability, raising concerns about whether Airtel’s app-based promotions are reliable.
Key Consumer Concerns Highlighted
- Misleading cashback promotions on Airtel Thanks App.
- Lack of proper accountability from Airtel customer service.
- Shifting responsibility onto customers without proof.
- Risk of widespread consumer deception if such practices continue.
Why This Complaint Matters
Cashback offers are meant to attract and reward customers, but when such promises are broken, they damage consumer trust. If large corporations like Airtel are not transparent, it creates fear among customers regarding digital payments and promotional offers.
This case is an important reminder that customers must remain vigilant, document every transaction, and hold corporations accountable for misleading claims.
About Choice4Voice.com – Supporting Consumer Rights
At Choice4Voice.com, we are dedicated to empowering consumers by giving them a platform to raise their voices against unfair practices.
Our mission is simple:
- Highlight genuine complaints on our website.
- Pressure companies to take corrective action.
- Support transparency and ethical business conduct.
If you are facing a similar issue with Airtel India or any other company, we strongly advise you to raise your complaint with us.
Your voice matters. Together, we can push companies to treat customers with fairness and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Airtel DTH cashback scam?
The scam refers to cashback offers shown on Airtel Thanks App during recharge, which are later denied by Airtel customer service.
2. How much cashback was promised in this case?
Airtel promised ₹1200 cashback for a ₹3001 recharge of the Tamil Basic HD Pack.
3. Why did Airtel refuse to provide cashback?
Airtel claimed that the customer did not have a screenshot of the offer, despite the offer being displayed at the time of recharge.
4. Is this the first time Airtel customers faced such issues?
No. Many customers have previously complained about disappearing cashback offers and hidden terms.
5. How can customers protect themselves from such scams?
Always take screenshots of offers before proceeding with recharge or payment.
6. Can TRAI intervene in such matters?
Yes. TRAI can direct telecom operators to maintain transparency and prevent deceptive promotions.
7. What legal action can be taken against Airtel in this case?
The customer can file a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act for misleading trade practices.
8. Is Airtel legally bound to honor cashback offers shown on its app?
Yes. If an offer is displayed on its official app, it becomes a valid promise, and denial amounts to breach of trust.
9. Can cashback scams happen with other telecom companies too?
Yes. Similar complaints exist against other telecom operators, making it important for consumers to remain alert.
10. What should customers do if Airtel denies their cashback?
Immediately raise a written complaint with Airtel, escalate to TRAI, and report on platforms like Choice4Voice.com.
11. How does Airtel benefit from such misleading practices?
By attracting customers to recharge with higher amounts under the pretense of cashback rewards.
12. Can customers get refunds for such fraudulent offers?
Yes, if proven, customers can demand either cashback credit or refund of recharge amount.
13. Are screenshots enough evidence for a consumer case?
Yes. Screenshots serve as strong digital evidence in consumer court.
14. What role does Choice4Voice.com play in such cases?
We highlight the complaint publicly, pressure the company, and support the consumer in seeking justice.
15. Can multiple customers file a joint complaint against Airtel?
Yes. A group complaint strengthens the case and highlights a pattern of misconduct.
16. Is Airtel known for poor customer service?
Many customers report delayed responses, denial of offers, and lack of transparency.
17. How can customers escalate beyond Airtel’s support?
They can approach TRAI, consumer courts, or submit their case on advocacy platforms like Choice4Voice.com.
18. What are the risks of ignoring such scams?
If customers remain silent, companies may continue misleading others with fake offers.
19. Can such issues affect Airtel’s brand reputation?
Yes. Negative publicity reduces consumer trust and impacts customer retention.
20. How can Airtel rebuild trust after this case?
By compensating the complainant, improving transparency, and ensuring cashback offers are reliable.
21. What steps should customers take immediately after facing such issues?
- Save transaction records
- Take screenshots
- Contact customer support in writing
- Escalate to regulators and advocacy platforms
✅ Final Note: This complaint against Airtel India reflects the importance of corporate accountability. At Choice4Voice.com, we stand with consumers like Shankar Gnanamurthy who refuse to stay silent against unfair practices. If you are facing a similar issue, don’t hesitate to submit your complaint and let your voice be heard.