How to solve your credit card complaints

HOW many times have you got a credit card bill with charges that you think are unfair and not called for? And what happens when you refuse to pay up? You get bills every month with the amount increasing with every bill. So the longer you take to pay up, the more you have to pay up. If you are stuck in a cycle like this one, we offer you some tips.

Step 1: Register a complaint with the bank first
File a written complaint with a bank and obtain a reference number for the complaint and acknowledgement of the complaint. Remember to keep a copy with you. Also, file your complaint with the bank's website.

After you have made a written complaint, give the bank some time to respond to you. If the bank does not respond within a week or two, talk to the bank manager. If the bank takes no action for one whole month since you registered the complaint, then enough is enough! You could now go knocking to the Banking ombudsman.

Step 2: Go to the Banking Ombudsman
You can either register your complaint through their banking ombudsman's website or locate the nearest branch which is within your jurisdiction.

Present your complaint in writing duly signed along with details such as your name, address and other supporting documents in context of your complaint, along with the name, address of the bank branch against whom you are registering your complaint.

Remember: The Banking Ombudsman, at any point in time during the investigation, can cease to act upon the complaint if:
1. It finds the complaint faulty or frivolous
2. You have not registered a complaint with the bank first
3. The bank has rejected the complaint or has provided a satisfactory response
4. If you have not done your homework before filing your complaint, or do not have relevant proofs, the ombudsman will not entertain you. So, make sure you have a record of all your communication with the bank
5. There is no loss or damage or inconvenience caused to the complainant

You need to lodge a complaint with the Banking Ombudsman at the end of one month after your complaint. If you wait for more than a year to register a complaint, it is not considered valid.

The decision taken by Banking Ombudsman will be considered final. So, if you lodge a complaint again on the same issue, it will be rejected. The rules of Banking Ombudsman also clearly states that the subject matter of the complaint should not be something that is already being disputed at court or an issue on which already a legal judgment has been passed.

Abitha Deepak is Head of Content & Research at BankBazaar.com - An online marketplace where you can instantly get loan rate quotes, compare and apply online for all your personal loan, home loan and credit card needs from India's leading banks and NBFCs.

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