A district consumer disputes redressal forum here has directed ICICI bank to restore a complainant’s credit card and waive off dues amounting to over ₹44,000 following an alleged fraudulent transaction.
Noting that the complainant had raised the issue with the bank multiple times, the consumer panel observed, “There is no averment on the part of the bank that any inquiry was carried out by them. It is also evident from the series of emails exchanged between the complainant and the [bank] that the complainant continued resisting the said fraudulent transaction.”
Deficient in services
Holding the bank deficient in services, the consumer forum directed the bank to waive off an amount of ₹44,680 along with the subsequent interest accumulated.
The bank has also been directed to compensate the complainant by paying a sum of ₹5,000 and additional refund of ₹908, lying as credit has to be made by the bank.
The directions came when Rohini resident B.D. Puri moved the consumer forum alleging fraudulent transactions made on his credit card.
“The complainant received a telephonic call from the bank’s customer care to inquire whether the complainant had used the credit card for ₹44,680 at Gadget Shop in Ghaziabad. The complainant alleged that he had not used the credit card. He alleged that the credit card was in his physical possession…it was further alleged that when he personally visited the area and found that there was no gadget shop there,” the Bench said.
The complainant also alleged that despite raising the issue with the bank, no steps were taken to note his complaint and officials “stuck to insist on the recovery of transactions.”
‘Not a consumer’
However, the bank had contended that the complainant was “not a consumer” under relevant rules and that the card had been blocked on his request and a fresh card issued.
Dismissing the contentions put forth by the bank, the consumer panel directed compensation to the complainant.