Teacher Jyoti Tandon alleges that HDFC Bank wrongly debited ₹472 as EMI return charges even after loan closure. She demands immediate refund and threatens legal action.
📌 Complaint Summary : HDFC Bank Debits ₹472 Without Any Active Loan: Jyoti Tandon Raises Harassment Complaint on LinkedIn
Field | Details |
---|---|
Complainant Name | Jyoti Tandon |
Profession | Teacher at Vishnu Bhagwan Public School, Allahabad |
Bank Involved | HDFC Bank |
Complaint Platform | |
Date of Complaint | 1 day ago |
Amount Debited | ₹236 twice = ₹472 |
Reason Given by Bank | EMI return charges |
Customer Claim | No active EMI exists; loan closed last month |
Account Type | Basic Savings Account |
Previous Loan | Auto Loan (Closed) |
Customer ID | ***7474 |
Customer Action Threatened | Legal action in consumer court |
Tagged Authorities | RBI, Ministry of Finance |
Original Post URL | LinkedIn Post |
🧾 Full Complaint Details
Jyoti Tandon, a teacher based in Allahabad, has accused HDFC Bank of wrongly debiting ₹472 (₹236 twice) from her basic savings account, citing “EMI return charges” despite her having no active loan with the bank.
What Happened?
- Jyoti had previously taken an auto loan from HDFC Bank.
- The loan was fully closed and settled last month, as per HDFC’s own records.
- Despite this, her account was debited twice for ₹236 each under the description “EMI Return Charges.”
- She claims no EMI is running with HDFC or any other bank, making these charges completely unjustified.
Her Concerns
- She considers this act as harassment, especially targeting customers with basic savings accounts.
- The complainant fears that many people who don’t frequently check balances or raise complaints might be silently losing money due to such deductions.
- Jyoti has tagged RBI and the Ministry of Finance in her LinkedIn post, urging authorities to investigate this recurring issue with banks.
- She has stated clearly that if the refund is not processed immediately, she will file a formal case in consumer court.
🔗 Original LinkedIn Complaint
You can read Jyoti Tandon’s original post here:
👉 Click to view full post
Most Searched Questions & Detailed Answers (Q&A)
1. What are EMI return charges in HDFC Bank?
EMI return charges are fees levied by the bank when an EMI payment fails due to insufficient balance. However, these are only valid if there’s an active EMI or loan running, which Jyoti Tandon confirms is not the case.
2. Can banks charge EMI return fees after loan closure?
No. Once a loan is closed and there are no outstanding payments, any EMI return charge is unjustified. Such deductions are considered wrongful debits.
3. What can you do if HDFC wrongly deducts money from your account?
You should:
- Raise a complaint via HDFC Bank customer care or net banking
- Email grievance.redressal@hdfcbank.com
- Escalate to the Principal Nodal Officer
- File a complaint on RBI CMS portal if unresolved
4. How long does HDFC take to process refund for wrongful debits?
If the bank acknowledges the error, refunds are typically processed within 7–10 working days. If ignored, escalate the issue to the Banking Ombudsman.
5. Can basic savings account holders be charged for EMI returns?
Yes, but only if there’s an active loan/EMI associated with that account. If not, it’s unauthorized and challengeable in court.
6. Is it legal for a bank to debit charges for a non-existent EMI?
No. As per RBI’s fair banking practices, any deduction without a valid explanation or agreement is illegal.
7. Can customers take legal action for unauthorized EMI charges?
Yes. You can:
- File a complaint with the Consumer Forum
- Send a legal notice to the bank
- Seek compensation for mental harassment and financial loss
8. What proof is required to dispute EMI return charges?
- Statement showing the deduction
- Loan closure certificate or communication
- Written complaint to the bank
- Reference/ticket number from customer support
9. Where to file a complaint if HDFC ignores the issue?
Use the RBI Complaint Management System (CMS) at cms.rbi.org.in
10. What is HDFC Bank’s nodal officer email for complaints?
Send your grievance to:
📧 grievance.redressal@hdfcbank.com
11. How can I check my HDFC auto loan closure status?
Log in to HDFC NetBanking > Loans > Loan Details. You can also request a loan closure certificate from customer support.
12. Why are wrongful debits common in Indian banks?
Due to systemic issues, poor internal checks, or outdated loan-linked mandates not being cancelled after closure. Banks often fail to disable ECS/auto-debit settings.
13. How to permanently cancel ECS after loan closure in HDFC?
Submit a mandate cancellation form at your branch and get written confirmation of ECS deactivation.
14. What happens if I ignore small debits like ₹236?
If enough customers ignore such charges, banks may continue this unchecked. It’s important to challenge even small wrongful deductions.
15. What is RBI’s stance on unauthorized bank charges?
RBI mandates that banks must:
- Notify customers in advance
- Provide justified reasons for charges
- Offer a grievance redressal process
16. Can I get compensation for wrongful EMI deductions?
Yes, courts may award:
- Full refund
- Interest on the deducted amount
- Compensation for time, inconvenience, and harassment
17. Can such charges affect my credit score?
No. If no EMI is active and it’s a bank error, your credit score remains unaffected. However, unresolved disputes should be documented.
18. What rights do I have as a basic savings account holder?
You are entitled to:
- Zero hidden charges
- Transparent transaction history
- Protection under RBI’s customer rights charter
19. Is customer consent required for EMI deductions?
Yes. Any recurring charge (ECS/NACH) requires prior written consent or digital authentication. Unauthorized deductions are not legal.
20. What if I get no response from the bank after 30 days?
File a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman via RBI CMS. You may also write to the Ministry of Finance’s public grievance portal.
21. Why do such issues keep happening with reputed banks?
Despite being regulated, large banks sometimes rely heavily on automated systems, leading to technical or procedural lapses especially when ECS mandates are not cleared properly.
✅ Conclusion
Jyoti Tandon’s case reflects a larger issue many Indian bank customers face automated deductions without active loans, delayed refunds, and poor customer service. It raises serious questions about how Indian banks handle post-loan processes and whether customers’ rights are truly respected.
Choice4Voice.com stands in full support of Jyoti’s complaint and urges HDFC Bank to:
- Immediately refund the ₹472
- Issue a formal apology
- Review its EMI return charge systems for closed loans
If you’ve faced unauthorized deductions or harassment from your bank, submit your complaint today on Choice4Voice.com. We will help amplify your voice.