You have two choices. First, fight it out with the bank by filing a consumer complaint, or writing to the banking ombudsman. We are assuming that you have already escalated this matter to the highest level within HDFC Bank, including writing to the CEO’s office. If not then do that first.
The alternative is to pay up. But depending on how old the issue is, you may be charged interest as well. Our advice to you would be to make the effort to go and talk to the bank.
You may also want to seek FREE counselling from our experts at Moneylife Foundation. Call for an appointment if you choose to do so. But remember, you will have to resolve this issue, otherwise you will not be eligible for any loan or even a credit card in future.
Sucheta Dalal Trustee - Moneylife Foundation
Abhay Datar Abhay Datar is a consumer activist. After working at Bank of Baroda for about 29 years, he retired as IT Manager. After retirement, Mr Datar joined Consumer Guidance Cell of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) in 2008 and solved many cases related to banking including online fraudulent transactions, misuse of credit cards and ATM cards. Also handled cases related with mobile banking frauds and mediclaim. He was a Member of the Managing Committee of MGP till March 2021.
Shirish Shanbhag Shirish Shanbhag has an MSc in Organic Chemistry, Diploma in Higher Education, a Diploma in a French and has completed his LL.B. in first class, in 2021. Before his retirement, he was a junior college teacher at Patkar College from July 1980 to May 2012, where he taught theoretical and practical chemistry. Post retirement in 2012, he started providing guidance and counseling to people on several issues, with a specific focus on co-operative housing society related matters. Adv Shanbhag has a kee
R Bhuvaneswari After serving Bank of Baroda for almost 40 years, Ms Bhuvaneshwari retired as Chief Manager in 2013.
Yogesh Sapkale Yogesh Sapkale is Deputy Editor of Moneylife and writes on finance, credit related issues