Unsolicited credit card

[vsncas]

Grievances related to credit cards are among the most common complaints reaching the consumer forums. Your credit card issuer could also be the reason why you get pesky calls from telemarketeers. Unsolicited cards, overcharging and missed statements are some of the other flash points in credit card services.

OUR RIGHTS
= A bank cannot issue an unsolicited card. The consent for issuance of a card or other products offered along with it has to be explicit.
= If a bank issues an unsolicited card, the customer can demand a compensation. The customer will not be responsible if an unsolicited card is misused.
= The card issuer should not reveal the information related to the customer to any other person or organisation
= In case of a default, banks and recovery agents can't resort to intimidation, verbal or physical and humiliate or intrude the privacy of the cardholder's family, referees and friends.
= If a customer disputes any bill, the bank should provide an explanation and evidence within 60 days with the spirit to amicably redress the customer's grievance.

If you have a compliant, first raise it with the bank's customer care department or the grievance cell. If it is not satisfactorily resolved within a month, you can approach the banking ombudsman. If you are still not satisfied with the ruling, the issue can be escalated to the RBI and finally taken to a consumer forum.

Source: The Economic Times dt. Dec 19-25 2011 p.no: 04 under Credit Cards.

V.Senthilnathan