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Submit your complaint →Arpit Vaishnavi, a Dale Carnegie Certified Trainer and Senior Manager in Learning & Organizational Development, has raised a serious concern about HDFC Bank’s aggressive marketing practices. After checking loan eligibility once on net banking, he allegedly received nonstop promotional calls. Choice4Voice.com highlights this growing issue of customer data misuse and intrusive marketing practices by banks.
Complaint Summary
| Complainant Name | Arpit Vaishnavi |
|---|---|
| Profession | Dale Carnegie Certified Trainer, Senior Manager – Learning & Organizational Development |
| Company / Brand | HDFC Bank |
| Issue Type | Excessive Marketing Calls / Privacy Violation |
| Nature of Complaint | Unsolicited calls after checking loan eligibility |
| Date of Incident | November 2025 |
| Platform Mentioned | HDFC Net Banking Portal |
| Status | Awaiting response from HDFC Bank |
| Complaint Source | Public post on LinkedIn |
| Personal Details | Masked for privacy |
Full Complaint Details
In a recent LinkedIn post, Mr. Arpit Vaishnavi, a respected Dale Carnegie Certified Trainer and Senior Manager – Learning & Organizational Development, expressed strong disappointment over what he described as “data-driven harassment” by HDFC Bank.
According to his post, after he merely checked his loan eligibility once through HDFC Bank’s net banking platform, he began receiving repeated promotional calls from various numbers within minutes — all pushing loan products.
He wrote:
“Within minutes, my phone turned into a call center simulator calls every few minutes from different numbers, all pitching the same loan. As a customer, I didn’t sign up to be chased.”
Mr. Vaishnavi emphasized that this aggressive marketing behavior violates customer trust, especially when users simply wish to explore financial options without committing. He urged HDFC Bank to “respect customer intent, not exploit it.”
He further stated,
“In 2025, data-driven banking shouldn’t mean data-driven harassment.”
Consumer Concern
The issue raised highlights a growing pattern among banks and financial institutions, where customer data from internal systems (such as loan eligibility checks, missed call services, or credit card inquiries) is quickly used for aggressive outbound sales campaigns.
Such practices may breach data privacy norms and create negative customer experiences, particularly when there is no clear consent for marketing follow-ups.
Potential Violations and Legal Scope
If the claims made are true, this situation may fall under multiple consumer protection and privacy laws in India:
1. Breach of Privacy and Unsolicited Communication
- Applicable Law: Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011
- Authority: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
2. Unfair Trade Practice under Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Repeated unsolicited marketing calls without consent can be treated as harassment and deficiency in service.
- Authority: District Consumer Forum
3. Violation of TRAI Regulations
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) restricts promotional calls to users registered under Do Not Disturb (DND).
- Users can file complaints directly via TRAI’s DND portal.
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
Choice4Voice.com helps consumers raise their concerns publicly when companies fail to act responsibly.
For such privacy or marketing-related issues, we can:
- Assist in filing a complaint with TRAI or Consumer Forum.
- Provide draft templates for legal notices to the bank.
- Help you submit digital grievance through official RBI and IT Act channels.
- Publish verified cases to build public accountability among large institutions.
Legal Case Can Be Filed
| Possible Case Type | Relevant Law / Authority | How Choice4Voice.com Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Unsolicited Calls / Privacy Violation | IT Act, 2000 & TRAI DND Guidelines | Guide in filing complaint under DND Regulation |
| Misuse of Customer Data | Consumer Protection Act, 2019 | Draft consumer complaint and notice |
| Emotional Distress / Harassment | Indian Penal Code, Section 504 / 506 | Provide FIR draft and complaint format |
| Deficiency in Banking Service | RBI Customer Charter | Help in escalation to RBI Ombudsman |
How to File a Complaint
Step 1: Visit https://www.nccptrai.gov.in to register your DND complaint.
Step 2: If unresolved, raise it with HDFC Bank’s Grievance Redressal Officer via their official email portal.
Step 3: Escalate to RBI Ombudsman if the issue persists.
Step 4: Submit your case to Choice4Voice.com for public amplification and visibility.
About HDFC Bank
Founded in 1994, HDFC Bank is one of India’s largest private sector banks, offering retail and corporate banking, digital payments, and loans. However, in recent years, several users have complained about excessive promotional communication, auto-debit issues, and account-related transparency concerns — making it one of the most-discussed banks in the consumer rights community online.
Author Section
Complainant: Arpit Vaishnavi
A Dale Carnegie Certified Trainer and Senior Manager in Learning & Organizational Development, known for his professional insights on ethical corporate practices and responsible communication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What should I do if a bank keeps calling me for loans after a single inquiry?
Register your number on TRAI’s DND list and file a complaint if calls continue.
2. Can banks use my contact details from net banking for marketing?
Only if you’ve given prior consent under data sharing terms.
3. Is this considered a privacy breach?
Yes, if data collected for one purpose (loan eligibility check) is used for another (marketing).
4. How can I stop such calls immediately?
Send an email to the bank’s Grievance Officer requesting removal from promotional lists.
5. What legal protection do customers have against unwanted calls?
TRAI DND regulations, IT Act, and Consumer Protection Act safeguard customers from harassment.
6. Can RBI take action against such banks?
Yes. RBI Ombudsman handles complaints about deficiency in banking services.
7. What evidence should I keep before filing a complaint?
Save call logs, screenshots, and email confirmations related to the unwanted calls.
8. How long does it take for TRAI to act on a DND complaint?
Usually 7 working days.
9. Are there penalties for banks violating DND rules?
Yes, TRAI can impose monetary penalties on the bank or telemarketer.
10. Can Choice4Voice.com publish awareness cases like this?
Yes, we specialize in consumer awareness articles based on verified complaints.
Conclusion
This case raises an important question for India’s digital banking ecosystem —
Are banks respecting consumer consent, or are they overstepping privacy boundaries in the name of sales?
Customers deserve transparency, respect, and the right to explore financial products without being spammed.
It’s time major banks like HDFC reexamine their marketing ethics and put customer experience before conversion rates.
