Sanjay Rawat, a wellness expert based in Vietnam, raises a concern against SBI over duplicate ₹295 deductions without consent. He demands clarification and refund.
Complaint Summary : SBI Deducts ₹295 Twice Without Consent – Sanjay Rawat Seeks Urgent Refund
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Sanjay Rawat |
| Profession | Wellness Master at Fusion Resort & Villas, Da Nang, Vietnam |
| Bank Involved | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Platform of Complaint | |
| Date of Complaint | 06 August 2025 |
| Amounts Deducted | ₹295 twice |
| Type of Account | Not specified |
| Account Number | Ending in ***213056 |
| Customer Concern | No prior notice, unknown charge, deducted twice |
| Requested Action | Clarification + immediate refund |
| Original Post URL | Click to view LinkedIn post |
Full Complaint Details
Sanjay Rawat, an experienced yoga instructor and wellness professional currently based in Vietnam, has raised a serious concern against the State Bank of India (SBI) regarding duplicate deductions of ₹295 from his bank account.
On August 6, 2025, Sanjay received an alert indicating a deduction of ₹295. However, he quickly realized that a similar deduction had also occurred the previous day, raising red flags about the legitimacy and frequency of such transactions.
Key Issues Raised:
- Why has ₹295 been deducted twice without clear justification?
- What is the exact nature of this charge?
- Why was there no notification or consent before these deductions?
- Should such charges be considered unauthorized or suspicious activity?
Sanjay has urged SBI to treat this matter with immediate urgency and provide a detailed explanation, along with a refund if the deductions were made in error.
🔗 Original LinkedIn Complaint
To view Sanjay Rawat’s complete post and public complaint, visit the original LinkedIn link:
👉 Click here to read full post
Most Searched Questions & Detailed Answers (Q&A)
1. Why does SBI deduct ₹295 from savings accounts?
SBI may deduct ₹295 for charges like SMS alerts, non maintenance of minimum balance, or ATM card annual fees. However, deductions must be clearly communicated in advance.
2. Is ₹295 a common fee in SBI accounts?
Yes, ₹295 is often linked to:
- Annual debit card maintenance fee
- SMS alert charges
- Failed ECS/auto-debit penalty
Still, it must not be deducted twice or without notification.
3. Can a bank deduct charges without prior consent?
No. As per RBI guidelines, all charges must be:
- Clearly stated in the schedule of charges
- Communicated through email/SMS before deduction
- Based on customer consent or usage
4. What to do if ₹295 is deducted twice in SBI?
Immediately:
- Contact SBI customer care at 1800 1234 or 1800 2100
- File a complaint via SBI Internet Banking
- Email grievance.redressal@sbi.co.in
- Escalate to nodal officer if unresolved
5. How to check the reason for deduction in SBI account?
Use the SBI YONO App or Internet Banking to:
- Download the mini statement or account summary
- View transaction remarks
- Identify whether it’s a service charge or penalty
6. Are banks allowed to charge the same fee twice?
No. Duplicate charges are considered errors or unauthorized transactions unless multiple services are being charged appropriately.
7. Can I claim a refund for wrong deductions in SBI?
Yes. If proven wrong:
- SBI must reverse the charge
- You can demand compensation for inconvenience
- RBI Ombudsman can intervene if the bank denies a valid claim
8. What is SBI’s official customer care contact for such issues?
📞 Toll-free: 1800 1234 or 1800 2100
📧 Email: grievance.redressal@sbi.co.in
🌐 SBI Complaint Portal: https://cms.onlinesbi.com
9. How long does SBI take to resolve such complaints?
SBI typically resolves complaints within 7 working days, but if escalation is required, it can take up to 30 days.
10. Can I take legal action if SBI doesn’t refund the charges?
Yes. After 30 days without a resolution:
- Approach the RBI Banking Ombudsman
- File a complaint at the Consumer Forum
- Seek compensation and refund
11. What is SMS alert charge in SBI?
SMS alerts are charged annually (~₹15 to ₹30) + GST, depending on account type. Some customers have seen bundled deductions like ₹295.
12. Can NRIs or overseas customers file complaints with SBI?
Yes. Even from abroad, you can:
- Use net banking complaint system
- Email nri@sbi.co.in
- Call international toll-free helpline
13. Is ₹295 charged for debit card annual fees in SBI?
Yes. SBI often charges ₹295 + GST annually for debit card maintenance. However, it must only be once per card and with advance notice.
14. Can SBI deduct charges without SMS notification?
No. RBI mandates that all charges must be intimated to the customer via SMS or email before deduction.
15. How can I disable automatic deductions from my SBI account?
- Visit the bank or net banking portal
- Cancel auto-debit/ECS mandates
- Deactivate unnecessary services like SMS alerts if not needed
16. How to contact SBI if I’m overseas and facing issues?
Use SBI’s international helpline or email:
📧 nri@sbi.co.in or
📧 customercare@sbi.co.in
17. What is SBI’s Nodal Officer contact for unresolved complaints?
Visit: https://bank.sbi/web/customer-care/nodal-officers
18. What is the time limit for raising a complaint on deductions?
Ideally, raise the complaint within 30 days from the date of transaction for faster redressal and eligibility for reversal.
19. Can duplicate deductions affect account balance in the long run?
Yes. Repeated small deductions can lead to unnoticed financial drain, especially in salary or savings accounts with low balances.
20. Why do such unauthorized deductions occur frequently in India?
Due to:
- Poor system audits
- Inadequate consent-based mechanisms
- Lack of customer awareness and follow-up on minor charges
21. Are these charges taxable?
Yes. Most service charges include GST at 18%, and you can verify the tax component in your account statement.
✅ Conclusion
Sanjay Rawat’s case is yet another example of how unexplained or duplicate charges continue to affect banking customers. With ₹295 deducted twice without clarity, this incident raises serious concerns about transparency, customer consent, and accountability in the Indian banking system.
Choice4Voice.com strongly urges State Bank of India to:
- Investigate the matter urgently
- Provide a clear explanation of these charges
- Refund any incorrect deduction
- Ensure transparency in future charges to maintain customer trust
Have you faced unauthorized charges or similar issues with your bank?
📢 Submit your complaint on Choice4Voice.com we help get your voice heard.
