The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the cards and payment services division of a nationalised bank to refund a sum of ₹39,507 to a credit card holder and pay another ₹35,000 towards compensation. The amount was withdrawn using his card without his authorisation over and above the remaining balance.
The Commission comprising president D.B. Binu and members V. Ramachandran and Sreevidhia T.N. passed the verdict on a petition filed by Aliyar T.M. of Puthuppady in Muvattupuzha against SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited. The petitioner held a credit card with a limit of ₹1.32 lakh. On October 17, 2020, ₹39,705 was debited from his card without his authorisation though at that point his card only had a balance of ₹39,000. The petitioner claimed that he had not availed an over-the-limit transaction and hence held that the opposite party was obliged to reject it.
On the said day, the complainant had received three phone calls from three different numbers. Since one of the calls appeared to be from the bank, he shared his card number following which the amount exceeding his remaining credit limit was fraudulently withdrawn from his card. The petitioner argued that the opposite party had a responsibility to establish a secure electronic banking system to prevent any unauthorised activities causing financial loss to customers and hence it amounted to deficiency of service on their part.
