Flipkart Scam – Shaik Shaheer Exposes Hidden Prepaid Charges & Policy Violations

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Senior Security Engineer Shaik Shaheer highlights hidden charges on Flipkart prepaid orders. Choice4Voice.com explains the issue, legal actions, and how consumers can file complaints.

LinkedIn Post URL

Complaint Summary : Flipkart Scam: Shaik Shaheer Exposes Hidden Charges on Prepaid Orders

Details	Information
Complainant Name	Shaik Shaheer
Profession	Senior Security & Professional Services Engineer
Platform	LinkedIn
Complaint Type	Hidden Charges / Policy Violation
Company/Brand	Flipkart
Product/Service	Prepaid Online Order
Issue Raised	Extra “payment handling fee” charged on prepaid order against Flipkart’s stated policy
Proposed Solution	Refund policy compliance, transparent billing, and accountability in customer support
Date of Post	1 day ago (LinkedIn)

Full Write-Up

Shaik Shaheer, a Senior Security Professional Services Engineer, raised serious concerns against Flipkart after discovering hidden charges applied on a prepaid order a clear violation of Flipkart’s own policy.

The Incident

Shaheer placed a prepaid order but was billed an additional “payment handling fee.”
Flipkart’s terms clearly state this fee applies only to Corporate Cards and Cash-on-Delivery (COD) payments, not prepaid orders.
When Shaheer contacted customer support:
1. First agent admitted the mistake but asked him to cancel the entire order to get a refund.
2. Second agent denied any extra charges existed.
3. Even after uploading proof, he was told support staff cannot view screenshots making the feature useless.

Why This Matters

This case raises critical consumer questions:

Why are customers billed fees that shouldn’t exist in the first place?
Why must consumers chase refunds for platform errors?
How many unnoticed “minor fees” are slipping through across millions of transactions?

Even a small, unnoticed charge multiplied across India’s 10+ crore e-commerce shoppers could amount to hundreds of crores in hidden revenue.

Shaheer’s case highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and stronger consumer protection in India’s booming online retail sector.

How Choice4Voice.com Can Help

At Choice4Voice.com, we ensure consumer voices like Shaheer’s don’t get ignored. Here’s how we assist:

Public Awareness – Publishing cases on our site and LinkedIn to increase visibility.
Brand Pressure – By tagging companies like Flipkart, we push them to address issues promptly.
Legal Guidance – Explaining laws violated, including Consumer Protection Act and Legal Metrology rules.
Complaint Templates – Providing ready-to-use drafts for Consumer Forum, RBI Ombudsman, and cybercrime portals.
Regulatory Support – Mapping the correct department (Consumer Forum, ASCI, Cybercrime, RBI, etc.) for filing.
Collective Voice – Supporting group/class complaints if multiple consumers face similar hidden charges.

Legal Cases Applicable

Consumers can file the following cases against hidden charges by Flipkart:

Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Unfair trade practice, misleading billing.
Legal Metrology Act, 2009 – Incorrect price disclosure.
Information Technology Act, 2000 – Deceptive online transaction practices.
Indian Penal Code (IPC) 420 – Cheating if fraudulent intent is proven.
Competition Act, 2002 – If such practices are widespread and anti-competitive.

Departments Where Complaints Can Be Filed

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Consumer Forum) – For refund and compensation.
National Consumer Helpline (Ministry of Consumer Affairs) – For grievance redressal.
Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) – For misleading fee disclosures.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) – If hidden charges amount to unfair pricing.
Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) – For fraudulent online charges.
Local Police (FIR under IPC 420) – In cases of deliberate cheating.

Step-by-Step Complaint Filing Guide

Consumer Forum – File at consumerhelpline.gov.in with receipts/screenshots.
ASCI Complaint – Submit misleading charge screenshots at ascionline.org.
NCDRC Escalation – If not resolved at district/state level.
Police FIR – File cheating complaint using Choice4Voice.com FIR template.
Cyber Complaint – Report fraudulent charges via the official cybercrime portal.

Pre-Drafted Templates Available

Consumer Forum Complaint Draft
FIR Draft (Cheating/Hidden Charges)
RBI Ombudsman Email (for payment disputes)
Cyber Crime Complaint Draft
ASCI Misleading Advertisement Complaint

Q&A

1. What hidden charge did Shaik Shaheer face on Flipkart?
A “payment handling fee” on a prepaid order, which should not apply.

2. What does Flipkart’s policy say about handling fees?
It applies only to Corporate Cards and COD orders, not prepaid ones.

3. Why is this case important?
It highlights how unnoticed charges across millions of users could cause massive consumer loss.

4. Did Flipkart acknowledge the mistake?
One agent admitted the fee was wrong but asked the customer to cancel the order.

5. What legal action can consumers take against hidden charges?
They can file cases under the Consumer Protection Act, Legal Metrology Act, and even IPC 420.

6. Where can consumers file complaints against Flipkart?
Consumer Forum, NCDRC, ASCI, CCI, Cybercrime Portal, or local police.

7. Can consumers claim compensation for hidden charges?
Yes, for financial loss, harassment, and inconvenience.

8. How does Choice4Voice.com help in such cases?
By publishing complaints, creating awareness, and guiding legal action.

9. Can a collective case be filed against Flipkart?
Yes, if multiple consumers face hidden charges.

10. What documents are required for filing?
Screenshots of invoices, transaction details, and communication with support.

11. Can RBI intervene in such cases?
Yes, if the issue involves banking/payment irregularities.

12. What penalty can Flipkart face?
Refund orders, compensation, and penalties under the Consumer Protection Act.

13. Is charging hidden fees legal in India?
No, it is an unfair trade practice.

14. Can hidden charges be challenged under ASCI guidelines?
Yes, misleading fee structures violate advertising ethics.

15. How long does a consumer forum case take?
Usually 3–6 months depending on evidence and case load.

16. Can consumers directly approach the police?
Yes, if fraud is suspected, an FIR can be filed under IPC 420.

17. Are hidden charges common in Indian e-commerce?
Yes, many consumers report “convenience fees” and “handling charges.”

18. How to avoid hidden charges on Flipkart?
Check invoices carefully and compare with official policies.

19. Can consumers demand refunds without canceling the order?
Yes, refunds should be processed without forcing cancellations.

20. What’s the long-term solution to hidden charges?
Strict enforcement of consumer laws and transparent billing practices.

Note: If this issue is resolved, the concerned brand or the complainant may contact us at support@choice4voice.com. After proper verification, we will either update this article as “Resolved” or remove it — ensuring fairness to both parties.