Vishal Nimonkar exposes HDFC Bank Salisbury Park branch for debiting Rs. 7,788 without consent under Insta Personal Loan. Choice4Voice.com details legal remedies, departments to approach (RBI, Banking Ombudsman, Consumer Forum), and step-by-step guidance for filing complaints and securing refunds.
Complaint Summary Table : HDFC Bank Unauthorized Charges Complaint – Vishal Nimonkar’s Experience
| Complainant Name | Vishal Nimonkar |
|---|---|
| Company / Brand | HDFC Bank, Salisbury Park Branch |
| Complaint Type | Unauthorized Charges / Misleading Loan Promises / Customer Misbehavior |
| Product / Service | Insta Personal Loan (Ref: PE21062528678) |
| Issue Description | HDFC Bank debited Vishal’s account 11 times for Rs. 708 each (total Rs. 7,788) without notification, despite assurances that charges would be reimbursed. Only partial refund of Rs. 2,832 received. Branch Manager denied responsibility and staff exhibited unprofessional behavior. |
| Date of Incident | June 21 – September 24, 2025 |
| LinkedIn Post URL | (original LinkedIn post by Vishal Nimonkar) |
About the Brand: HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank Limited is one of India’s largest private sector banks, offering retail banking, loans, credit cards, and digital services. While HDFC Bank is recognized for its extensive branch network and digital offerings, complaints regarding unauthorized debits, miscommunication, and staff misconduct have occasionally surfaced.
Key Facts:
- Category: Private Sector Bank
- Services: Personal loans, digital banking, credit cards, retail banking
- Notable Issue: Unauthorized Insta Personal Loan debits without proper consent or notification
About the Author: Vishal Nimonkar
Vishal Nimonkar is a business development and marketing professional in the sugar and ethanol industry. He publicly raised concerns about HDFC Bank’s unauthorized debits and misleading assurances, highlighting systemic issues in customer service, transparency, and accountability.
Detailed Issue Description
- On June 21, 2025, Vishal was assured by DBM Girish Bhoite, RM Kadir Shaikh, and PL Manager Avinash Avghad that Insta Personal Loan charges would be reimbursed despite his account being inoperative.
- The Branch Manager, Sachin Markandeya, promised approvals for reimbursements.
- On July 18, 2025, HDFC debited Rs. 7,788 in 11 installments of Rs. 708 without SMS/email notification.
- After repeated follow-ups, Vishal received only Rs. 2,832, leaving Rs. 4,956 pending.
- Branch Manager denied prior commitments and exhibited unprofessional behavior.
- Complaint raises concerns about misleading practices, lack of transparency, and fraudulent debiting.
Legal Grounds & Applicable Acts
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – For deficiency in banking service, misleading commitments, and unauthorized debits.
- Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – Banks are accountable for unauthorized transactions and transparency in lending practices.
- Information Technology Act, 2000 – Failure to notify customers of digital banking debits can be considered negligence.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Guidelines – Unauthorized debits, lack of consent, and failure to resolve complaints violate customer protection norms.
- Indian Contract Law – Misleading promises by bank staff constitute breach of contract.
Departments & Authorities to File Complaints
- HDFC Bank Grievance Cell – Submit formal complaint and demand refund.
- RBI Banking Ombudsman – Escalate unresolved disputes related to unauthorized debits and misleading communication.
- Consumer Forum / District Consumer Court – File complaint for deficiency in service and harassment.
- Cybercrime Portal (if digital banking used) – Report fraudulent debits in digital banking accounts.
- NPCI (if UPI transactions involved) – For processing errors or unauthorized debits via UPI or NEFT.
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
- Amplify Complaint: Publish the issue publicly to attract brand attention.
- Legal Guidance: Advise on filing complaints with HDFC Bank grievance cell, RBI, consumer courts, and cybercrime authorities.
- Documentation Assistance: Collect and organize transaction proofs, call logs, and email communication.
- Step-by-Step Filing: Guide the complainant in writing RBI Ombudsman complaints, consumer complaints, or cybercrime reports.
- Follow-up: Track complaint progress and push for timely resolution.
Step-by-Step Complaint Filing Guide
- Collect Evidence: Loan reference number, debit statements, email/call communication.
- File Complaint with HDFC Bank: Submit via branch, email, or grievance portal.
- Escalate to Branch Manager/Regional Manager: Ensure written acknowledgment.
- Banking Ombudsman (RBI): Submit formal complaint if unresolved within 30 days.
- Consumer Forum Filing: For deficiency in service and harassment.
- Cybercrime Report: If unauthorized debits done digitally.
- Publicize: Choice4Voice.com can publish the case to pressure timely resolution.
Q&A
- How can I get a refund for unauthorized HDFC Bank debits?
- File complaint with HDFC Bank grievance cell; escalate to RBI Banking Ombudsman if unresolved.
- Is it legal for HDFC Bank to debit my account without consent?
- No, unauthorized debits violate RBI guidelines and customer consent principles.
- How do I report misleading loan promises by bank staff?
- Submit complaint to bank grievance cell and escalate to RBI Banking Ombudsman or consumer court.
- Can RBI Banking Ombudsman resolve unauthorized debit disputes?
- Yes, they mediate and order refunds for unresolved banking disputes.
- What is the Consumer Protection Act 2019 for banking issues?
- It protects customers against deficiency in service, misleading practices, and unprofessional behavior.
- How do I escalate to a branch manager if grievance ignored?
- Write formal email/letter documenting previous follow-ups and request acknowledgment.
- Can Choice4Voice.com help with unauthorized debit cases?
- Yes, by amplifying complaints, assisting with documentation, and guiding legal escalation.
- What documents are needed for RBI Banking Ombudsman complaint?
- Transaction proofs, loan reference, call logs, emails, and grievance submission acknowledgment.
- How long does it take for RBI Ombudsman to resolve complaints?
- Typically 30–60 days depending on case complexity.
- Can consumer court order compensation for unauthorized charges?
- Yes, along with directions to refund the debited amount and possibly punitive damages.
- What is the first step in filing an HDFC Bank complaint?
- Submit grievance via branch or HDFC Bank grievance portal.
- Is emailing branch manager effective?
- Yes, especially if accompanied by documentation and clear refund demand.
- Can repeated debits be considered fraud?
- Yes, especially if bank acted without consent and ignored prior assurances.
- Who is responsible for branch staff misbehavior?
- Branch manager and regional office are accountable under banking governance norms.
- Can I file cybercrime complaint for bank debit?
- If digital banking system used for unauthorized transactions, yes.
- What is the role of NPCI in such cases?
- NPCI ensures proper processing of digital payments like UPI/NEFT and can investigate processing errors.
- What is the legal recourse if HDFC refuses refund?
- File complaint with RBI Ombudsman, then escalate to consumer forum.
- Can Choice4Voice.com speed up resolution?
- Publicizing the case often pressures banks to resolve complaints faster.
- How to calculate unauthorized debit total?
- Multiply number of debits by individual debit amount and cross-check bank statements.
- Can multiple staff assurances be challenged legally?
- Yes, verbal assurances backed by documentation can be included in consumer complaints or RBI escalation.
