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Submit your complaint →A shocking incident has surfaced where Federal Bank allegedly froze a senior citizen’s account without prior notice or explanation. The complaint, shared by Viswanath I, highlights three months of silence from the bank despite multiple visits and emails. Choice4Voice.com investigates how such negligence violates customer trust and what legal remedies are available for affected individuals.
Complaint Summary
| Complainant Name | Viswanath I |
|---|---|
| Profession | Executive Producer – Shaji Kailas Entertainments, Co-Owner – AV Entertainments |
| Company/Brand | Federal Bank |
| Issue Type | Account Frozen Without Intimation |
| Date of Incident | Ongoing for 3 months |
| Affected Customer | Mother of Complainant (Senior Citizen) |
| Bank Response | No response to multiple emails or in-person visits |
| Complaint Source | Public LinkedIn Post by Viswanath I |
| Status | Unresolved |
Full Story
A deeply concerning case has emerged against Federal Bank, where a senior citizen’s account was allegedly frozen without any prior notice or valid explanation.
According to Viswanath I, Executive Producer at Shaji Kailas Entertainments, his mother has been a Federal Bank customer since before 2013. However, over the past three months, her account has been inexplicably frozen, leaving her unable to access her own money.
Despite sending multiple emails to the branch manager and the customer care department, there has been no official response. The family has personally visited the branch nearly 19 times in total (11 times by the mother and 8 times by Viswanath), yet no clarity has been provided.
“At one point, a lady at the reception casually mentioned that the bank had doubts about my mother’s identity. The Government of India has no doubts about her identity, but Federal Bank does,”
— Viswanath I stated on LinkedIn.
This incident has raised serious concerns about how banks handle KYC verification, senior citizen accounts, and internal communication.
Customer’s Key Grievances
- Account frozen without any prior notice or written communication.
- No response from Federal Bank’s branch or customer service.
- Disrespectful handling of a senior citizen’s repeated visits.
- Alleged suspicion on the customer’s identity without valid grounds.
- Emotional and financial distress caused over three months.
Legal Case Can Be Filed
Based on the complaint, the following legal cases can be applicable:
| Type of Legal Action | Applicable Law/Authority | How Choice4Voice.com Can Help |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Complaint | Consumer Protection Act, 2019 | Choice4Voice.com can help the complainant file a case in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for deficiency in service. |
| RBI Banking Ombudsman Complaint | Reserve Bank of India | Choice4Voice.com assists in drafting and submitting a formal RBI Ombudsman Complaint for unfair and non-transparent banking practices. |
| Human Rights Complaint (Senior Citizen Harassment) | National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) | Since the affected individual is a senior citizen, a complaint can be filed for harassment and emotional distress. |
| Civil Damages Claim | Civil Court | Assistance in drafting a legal notice seeking compensation for mental agony and loss of trust. |
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
Choice4Voice.com helps consumers like Viswanath’s mother by:
- Drafting detailed consumer forum complaints
- Preparing RBI Ombudsman representations
- Sending legal notices to negligent companies or banks
- Ensuring public visibility through verified publications that push for timely resolutions
Consumers can submit their complaint directly through our Google Form on Choice4Voice.com for review and publication.
Step-by-Step Guide to File a Complaint Against Federal Bank
- Collect All Proofs – Keep emails, screenshots, branch visit records, and ID documents ready.
- Send an Email to the Bank – Mark it to customercare@federalbank.co.in with subject “Account Frozen Without Intimation”.
- Wait for 30 Days – If no response, file a case with the RBI Ombudsman Portal: https://cms.rbi.org.in
- File a Complaint on Consumer Forum – Visit https://consumerhelpline.gov.in and register your grievance.
- Approach Choice4Voice.com – We can assist in preparing all documents and ensure your case is publicly highlighted for faster resolution.
Pre-Drafted Templates
1. Email to Federal Bank
Subject: Urgent: Account Frozen Without Notice
Dear Federal Bank Team,
My savings account has been frozen without any prior notice or communication. Despite multiple visits and emails, I have not received any clarification.
Kindly restore account access and provide a written explanation immediately.
Regards,
[Your Name]
[Account Number – masked]
2. RBI Ombudsman Complaint
“I am filing this complaint as my account was frozen by Federal Bank without notice or valid reason, despite multiple follow-ups for over 90 days. This constitutes deficiency in service and violation of RBI guidelines.”
3. Consumer Forum Legal Notice
“Under the Consumer Protection Act, I am issuing this notice for mental harassment, negligence, and lack of response regarding my frozen bank account.”
About Federal Bank
Federal Bank Ltd., established in 1931 and headquartered in Aluva, Kerala, is one of India’s leading private sector banks with a focus on retail and NRI banking. However, repeated customer complaints about account handling and response delays have been damaging its reputation in recent months.
Author
Viswanath I is an Executive Producer at Shaji Kailas Entertainments and Co-owner of AV Entertainments. He shared this verified complaint on LinkedIn, raising serious concerns about Federal Bank’s lack of accountability toward long-standing customers.
Q&A – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What should I do if my Federal Bank account is frozen without notice?
A: Contact the branch immediately in writing and demand a reason. If unresolved, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman within 30 days.
Q2: Can a bank freeze my account without prior notice?
A: No. As per RBI guidelines, banks must inform customers before freezing accounts, except under suspicion of money laundering or court orders.
Q3: What if my emails to the bank go unanswered?
A: Send reminders and mark copies to nodalofficer@federalbank.co.in and then file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman.
Q4: Can I claim compensation for emotional distress?
A: Yes. Under the Consumer Protection Act, you can claim damages for harassment or negligence.
Q5: How long does it take to resolve such cases?
A: RBI Ombudsman cases usually take 30–60 days; Consumer Court cases may take 3–6 months.
Q6: How can Choice4Voice.com help?
A: We assist with complaint drafting, verification, publication, and escalation to the right authorities.
Q7: Can senior citizens get priority handling from banks?
A: Yes. RBI mandates banks to provide special assistance and faster grievance redressal for senior citizens.
Q8: Is this case a violation of RBI norms?
A: If the bank failed to provide written intimation or reason, it violates RBI’s customer service guidelines.
Q9: What documents should I keep before filing a complaint?
A: Bank passbook, KYC documents, emails, branch visit records, and any written communication.
Q10: What if the bank cites “identity verification” as a reason?
A: Ask for written proof of discrepancy and submit valid documents to resolve the issue.
Q11: Can such cases affect credit score?
A: Not directly, unless linked to a loan account. But prolonged freezes can affect financial history.
Q12: Can a lawyer help in reopening the account?
A: Yes. A legal notice from a lawyer often compels the bank to act promptly.
Q13: Are banks accountable for emotional harassment?
A: Yes. Mental distress caused by negligence can be compensated legally.
Q14: What is the official email for Federal Bank grievances?
A: customercare@federalbank.co.in
Q15: Can I post my complaint publicly?
A: Yes. Choice4Voice.com publishes verified complaints to pressure companies to respond.
Q16: What is the RBI CMS Portal?
A: It’s the official complaint system for banking grievances – https://cms.rbi.org.in
Q17: What happens if the RBI Ombudsman rejects my case?
A: You can file an appeal to the Deputy Governor of RBI within 30 days.
Q18: Can I file a complaint offline?
A: Yes, by submitting a written complaint at your nearest RBI office.
Q19: Does RBI protect senior citizen rights in banking?
A: Yes. RBI has special guidelines for grievance redressal for senior citizens.
Q20: What is the best platform to raise consumer complaints publicly?
A: Choice4Voice.com – India’s fast-growing consumer advocacy platform.
✅ If you’re facing similar issues with your bank account, submit your complaint now on Choice4Voice.com and let your voice be heard.
