I thank ICICI Bank from the bottom of my heart 😉 for sending my Dad correct Credit Card statement for the first time, since his new life-time free card was issued six months back. Though at the same time I also had filled up application form for Credit Card, which ICICI Bank kept on telling they don’t have any application in my name… and I know why this happen as I had mention my profession 😛
But I am also smart enough to have applied again 😉 and got the free lifetime Credit Card but ofcourse reluctant to use that… as I don’t have time to fight with the Call Center employees for the wrong debits in the Credit Card statement, in case I use it 🙂
The best line for ICICI Bank is -> Blog-Blog pe shor hai… ICICI Bank _ _ _ _ hai (no prize for guessing the missing word). Read out the most complaints against ICICI Bank at: http://www.arjunprabhu.com/blog/archives/2005/04/27/icici-bank-a-bad-experience-for-many/
Last month, I read at another Blog… that some one even after being promised a free LifeTime Credit Card received a gold card and was charged annual fees. This made me call them and I asked please confirm whether my card is free, i.e. I hope there won’t be any annual charges or hidden charges on it.
Call center employee replied -> there won’t be any annual charges. Then I asked but are you not denying Hidden charges 😆 He was ….. 😳
Also asked them to give it in writing that my Card is a Free Card, the said letter has been received ❗ In case you also have an ICICI Bank credit card, its better to get the terms again in writing for future purposes.
After making this post… I feel better, as was feeling very uncomfortable for not having blown any whistles in the last few months 😆
Aaina says
Really? I never expected this from ICICI because of it’s ‘name.’ They’ve built up a pretty good reputation for themselves, I guess you don’t know until you deal with them. Or maybe just some people have trouble with them…I don’t know!
– Aaina.
Prasad says
hmm… even i had some problems with ICICI.. like 2 yrs back they had promised me a lifetime credit card and instead send me an American Express ICICI gold card with charges of 1000Rs in the statement within a month..
i was like damn angry tht i didn’t use it till now.. and didn’t pay the fees too.. i sent them mails and called them to cancel the card too.. but not done 🙁
now, am jus using citibank card..
Archer says
Aaina:!: you are very young to understand ICICI practices 😉 but still when your elders are telling you the fact … believe it 😆
Prasad:!: really the same things I referred to above, some one had some blog entry on this topic of Gold Card in the name of Free Credit Card…. exaclty similar case:!:
Don’t understand why ICICI Bank can’t make money honestly 😛
poonam says
interesting.. neeraj and i are thinking of opening an ICICI NRI account..but i am beginning to wonder.
When we filled out their “apply online” for the NRI account.. we didn’t even get any call or email saying what we need to do next.
We did the same with Citibank….and they have been in touch with us via phone for the past two days to let us know what we need to do next to open an NRI acct. with them..
The only thing that we are thinking abt. going for ICICI bank is that they offer better exchange rates and her sister works for ICICI in Jaipur..so it would be good in that way. But man..horrible customer service worries me.
Archer says
I also had such an experience with ICICI Bank… we told them that we were interested in opening a Current account. And they did not bother to contact until 2 months and 5-6 reminders.
This happens because they are always so busy in making fool out of the current customers, that they don’t have time for the new ones 😆
When you have approach in ICICI Bank… then you will surely get special treatment, otherwise ofcourse there are lot of complaints – you can read out the complaints at the other Blog.. http://www.arjunprabhu.com/blog/archives/2005/04/27/icici-bank-a-bad-experience-for-many/
poonam says
very interesting. we have made up our mind — we are going for Citibank NRI account. 😀
Irshad Isha Theab says
A copy of my complaint for ICICI Bank credit to National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission is attached herewith
To,
The Manager
Customer Grievances Cell
Department of Govt. of India
Krishi Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
&
P.O.Box No. 3306
New Delhi 110 014
Sub: Complaint of ICICI Bank Credit Card Department
Respected Sir,
I Irshad Isha Theba hereby would like to inform you regarding my grievances with ICICI Bank Credit Card Division.
Sir, I am having ICICI Bank Credit Card from July 2004. First of all they called up to me on my mobile in the month of June 2004 saying “for ICICI Bank Customer we are introducing credit card at very economical and affordable interest rates (applicable) and allowing a total period limit of 50 days from the day of transaction(s), as a Credit Period. Moreover at the time of allotment of card you will be offered with Rs. Two Lac personnel accident policy for no premium levied extra. They never informed me regarding any other service charges and taxes applicable at the time of allotment of the credit card. (A cruel market policy of the company reflects here). And till date I have never received my personnel accident policy amount Rs. 2 lacs.
I started using credit card from the month of allotment itself as they told me to use the same whenever you got it , so as to enable us to inform that the card is allotted to you is being activated. From the first transaction to till date according to my knowledge and recognisation I am spending the amount and they are every time charging me with service charges and service taxes as applicable (along with the interest), moreover till then I am paying the minimum due amount told to me time by time. (Upto till date I have only received 6 statements of my transaction from the Bank). In this case it is please be noted that it is necessary to inform the customer regarding the transaction he/she has made in the past period/month. So, that the customer could get a sufficient time for making necessary payments, mentioned or informed to him/her. (Infact I have requested them about 9 times on customer care help line that till due date of the payment I have not received my statement of credit card and kindly let me know my minimum due, so that I can make the necessary payments.
Once, in the month of April 2005, when I saw my statement online I was shocked seeing Rs. 300/- mentioned as a transaction fees for cash amount withdrawal, instead of Rs. 100/-. I was never informed regarding the changes or hikes of transaction charges on cash withdrawal. (This can be called as blind cheating with the customer).
Moreover, in the month of October 2005, they charged me Rs. 400/- as a late payment charges + service charges + service taxes. I was again shocked because the minimum amount due for the month was already paid by me then also they have charged me late payment charges. I again contacted them on customer care and they told me that as Rs. 9/- was short in the payment made by me, so they charged me late payment charges for the whole amount pending. (According to my knowledge this is totally illegal).
Again the same thing gets repeated with me in the month of December also. So I again contacted them and make a request to kindly do the needful to solve the matter. But, no favorable response was made by them. Moreover they sent me email showing my credit balance available Rs. 3000/- and more. But when I contacted on customer care they told me that the amount of credit balance available is Rs. 0/- (This is pure cheating)
Now, as per my conversation with the customer care executive and as per email of request/alert to them time by time then also they told me to make the full payments (for which I am not liable).
Again I made a request to them that as a being a regular paying customer I should not be charged with late payment charges/service charges time to time. Atleast they should consider us as a human being. We are not a printing machine, who can print money for them.
In the month of January 2006 they sent one heavy headed person to my home telling and giving me death threaten, if incase I will not make the payments which are due.
Now, please you tell me and guide me so that I can get proper justice.
Sir, the total credit limit given to me was Rs. 24000/- and according to my record I have spent about Rs. 22000/- time to time and till date in the form of minimum due I have paid about Rs. 16000/- to them along with the interest rates applicable. But then also they are telling me to pay Rs. 31000/- which is beyond my understanding.
Sir, I would like to request you to take necessary steps in order to secure my life and secure Indian Customers.
One more thing I would like to mention is that in the above period from 2004 to 2006 they have informed me regarding various schemes which they have introduced during festive season. i.e. that if you will spend amount during this festive season then you will get 5% cash back. I have spent the money during festive season but till date I have never seen any cash back in my account. Moreover, they have introduced a fake schemes to the customers those who are using credit card, saying that if you spent amount during this scheme period then you will eligible for a gift/foreign tour by a lucky draw system at the end of the scheme. But no results till date have been declared or informed to me.
Now this is clear that just for doing business they are cheating innocent customers like me and also given death threatens through phone.
Sir, I humbly like to request you that now a days I am suffering from a huge depression stage and I got a tension on my mind for various points as mentioned herein above. How, can they do these things to a regular customer?
I would like to request you for instructing them and tell them to pay me as a claim against cheating me and giving me mentally harassments from June 2004 to till date.
I would like to make a request to your kind self that please try to save my life by giving me a proper justice.
Awaiting for you favorable response and declaration in this matter at an earliest.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours Faithfully,
Irshad Isha Theba
7/10 Junction Plot,
Rajkot 360 001
Email ID: irshadisha1367@yahoo.co.in
Credit Card No: 5176 3701 6629 4003
Expiry date of Card: July 2007
Concerned copies to:
The President
Grahak Suraksha Kendra
3rd Floor, Popatbhai Sorathiya Bhavan
Stock Exchange Building
Harihar Chowk,
Rajkot 360 001
A request to the president, for saving my life.
Thanks.
alok says
I agree with all archer has said i recieve statements after Itheaten that I will not make any future payments. No reply ever comes my way in case of complaints. My bankers(ofcourse not esteemed ICICI)have debited payment of 8000/- last month which has been reflected as cheque returned by ICICI bank, to top it they have charged me late payment fine andintrest over the outstanding amount .Jai Hind.
SATHIYA says
Two years back, my wife opened a NRI account with ICICI and later she requested to add me as a joint acct holder. Early 2004, we moved back to India.
I usually go to local ICICI branch to deposit my $ checks into my NRI account. Last two years, I have been doing this for last two years and I am little lazy to check whether amt was credited or not. Last month, I went to bank to deposit a check, which is a check from US account, to my horror, the teller told me that I can’t deposit a check into this acct because I am a mandate acct holder. Other fellows never told me that, they always accepted the check from me.
Whenever I made a deposit, the amount was taken from my US account and never credited to my NRI acct. it was put in some suspense account. When I contacted them to verify all the deposits I made into the acct for last two years, they told me that, it is not possible, because there won’t be any entry into the system for deposit of checks, unless otherwise, it is credited to your acct. It took almost three weeks to trace one check ($13,000) which I deposited four months back. This is only one problem I am talking about with ICICI bank. I have lot of other bad experiences, but I don’t have time to write. Please try to avoid opening acct with ICICI.
sadatulla says
hi this is sadat here from bangalore i would like to tell the people working in icici bank not to give a service that would affect the customers i applied for a icici bank card but they have rejected a card saying that my area lingarajapuram bangalore 560084 is a black listed area yaar i am staying in that area for the last 27 years and i dont find any thing wrong in that area so i reported to the head office of icici every time i sent a e-mail to them the very next day i used to get a call from the call center people saying the your card has been approved but we are sorry we require such and such a document i gave them all the legal documents like my salary slip my company id proof my address proof every thing but no answer still why i am working for a reputed company and my salary account also with icici but why these people are doing like this it is a shame to the company for give service like this they give credit card to people who do not need them but they dont give it to people who are inneed of it i am doing my mba and i require it to get my hall ticket by online service but shame on the service of icici for giving a service like that who every is reading this mail pls reply
Rajeev Kumar says
• Dear All,
ICICI bank is no way safe to keep saving in to our account .ICICI Bank Credit Card Division with their DSA and collection agent having a great association with bank it self to impose any offer policy without customer confirmation and will charge in your statement .till you contact customer care and clarify they will impose heavy interest charges.and soon you will get life threat from their agents, you will not be able to do any thing.If you refuge to pay they will find your saving account In icici bank and with the help of icici bank network and create forged request AUTO DEBIT FACILITY for payment and on-line they will transfer your saving money amount to credit card account. i mate around 100-125 persons every month .
So it is my request to all of the Existing ICICI Bank INDIA customer to Pl maintain bare minimum balance in your account and transfer your saving to other bank account which is safe .Like PNB,UTI BANK Etc.
Because you can not get any help from Police also as this type of fraud and cheating is not having any restriction and Law against them in India.
My advice to all – Avoid ICICI as far as possible. Many people predict that the bank would collapse in a few years from now. Have a account with any nationalized bank.
Personally, I have an account with SBI and keep a minimum amount in ICICI
Rajeev Kumar
Parag B. says
I really dont understand why people have so many problems with ICICI…infact it is the one who taught banking & client services to the entire banking industry of ours. I dont say the process is 100% error free but all queries or problems can be sorted with a proper follow up. You cannot expect them to work like your family munshi and take care of every mistake u do n negligence u show….
Please do have a little maturity when u deal with credit cards. Read the agreements thoroughly before you sign them….n u’ll find ur life on a bump free highway again…
Archer says
Do you mean to say… agreement will say we will charge you twice for a single transaction…
Read the comments against ICICI bank here… http://www.arjunprabhu.com/blog/archives/2005/04/27/icici-bank-a-bad-experience-for-many/
There can’t be so many person under wrong impression… :p
Subhra Dutta says
Know about the Service I got as a NRI client.
It took three months to open my accounts.
When I wanted one Demat Accounts, they awarded four without explaining why I should have four. LAter they told me that you have signed the form. Cheating comes in many forms. NRI customer pay more in Demat accounts opening and online trading. I trade online in other countries as alien and do not pay a single penny different than their resident customer.
Time to time my accounts are locked for no fault of mine. It takes a minimum of one month to reactivate it. Why does it happen.
One of their Mumbai staff told me nobody has ever complained about ICICI Service and unfortunately I am the only aggrieved customer in their record, they are looking into the matter why it is happening with me.
My current complaints are as follows, written to NRI Manager on 28-8-06 still waiting to hear;
1. My Password..
It is a month now I am without password and cannot access my online trading facility. I have not still received it though your helpline informed me that the password was posted by ARAMEX speed post on 16-8-06. No response from the bank on my follow up. Why should I be paying annual service charge if you fail to keep my accounts active and accessible. You may have government regulations to follow but you cannot create inconvenience to the paying clients. You did not give me enough notice of NSDL regulations before locking my account and your system of unlocking does not work.
2. Address Change
After changing my job, I have been requesting my address change since March 2006, produced all proofs by postal mail as well as I personally visited my Kolkata branch during my holidays in India in the month of July and gave all necessary proof of identification for change of address. After that I enquired why my old Foreign address being still shown in my Profile and why I am still receiving mails in my old foreign address.
You again sent me the same procedures which I should follow to change my address. Why didn’t you bother to read my mail and address the issue without asking me to complete all formalities again.
3. You asked me to submit PAN details for closed DEMAT Account?
When I submitted my PAN card details, I was told by my branch at Kolkata that PAN card detail is not required for closed account. My Demat Account IN302902-43206705 has been closed and this has been removed from the list of DEMAT accounts I have. Also this account is also not shown in my personal profile in the ICICI bank website. If you still need my PAN details for my closed account, why don’t you take a copy of my PAN card which has been verified by your bank.
Regards
Subhra Dutta
Email : dutsu@yahoo.com
mani says
Keep all documentation as proof. You can complain to RBI and get compensation for this problem
mukul says
as i read on internet that any new applicant can apply for credit card in ICICI AND HDFC bank with out having account. also you need to just submit form 16 or salary certificate with id document.
but when i went to moradabad HDFC bank they created lots of formality
open your account first
then take LIC premium recipet
:?:no use of form-16 or saliry certificate
Sindhu says
They stole my money ( ICICI ) There is 16000 missing from my account and the manager of the brach has the nerve to tell me it could possible be a credit card payment . i dont have credit cards i am scared of them . And look what has happened with my saving s account which has my hard earned money.
kewal says
ICICI is totally irresponsible bank.its almost more than 13 days and I am still waiting for my transaction password. there executive is also not
responsible and not attending me properly.
Archer says
Very true… you can have many negative adjectives for ICICI Bank… 😉
uremella says
Almost the same experience has been mine too They call me up at my workplace and said that for employees of my company, they have lifetime free platinum card with a limit of 150,000 INR. And after swearing that there are no annual or hidden charges, the card comes and hello!!!!, it is ICICI preferred and the limit is 67000 INR. When I ask their 24-hr “customer care”, they asked me if I have a written confirmation that the limit was 150,000. What price bankers’ integrity? Wonder what are the guiding values of ICICI bank? Have cut the cards and put them back in their ATM.
🙂
d chadha says
CHEATED FOR RS 6095 BY ICICI CREDIT CARD DIVISION THEY ARE NOT READY TO OPEN RECORDING OF 11TH JUNE OF THIER OFFICER PRETI AS THEY STAND EXPOSED
Ritesh says
Hi Guys, just thought to update you on some regulations that we as a consumers do not know.
Under RTI act, we have full right to ask any company (LTD CO) which deals publicly, to forward us their credit (sanction) policy, customer Service Policy, Privacy Policy, Credit Reporting Policy and even their memorandums and articles. We can openly ask for directors/ senior officials contact details. And have full right to contact them.
Also, a bank or any financial institution (if providing such services) can be asked for the reason of denial of loan, credit card in writing. any kind of professional, racial or religious discrimination is punishable if the credit is denied by any bank.
I have recently got a car loan, they charged me before sending me the welcome letter, which is generally accompanied by repayment schedule. although i was not at home when they first sent it, but lawfully they cannot charge me until and unless i am not aware of the date of debit. (which is mentioned in the repayment schedule). i was slapped with the fine of Rs 250/- unnecessarily (although i intentionally withdrew funds one day before) i called them and asked if i have received the repayment schedule, the plain answer was ‘NO’ i reminded them they cannot charge me in this case and asked for the copies of their policies that i mentioned above, was promptly transferred to the supervisor, then to manager and he promised to call me in 10 minutes. I got the call back in 9 minutes. And was told that bounce charges will be removed in 24 hours and i have 5 days to deposit the funds and get the ECS cleared again. i checked my account after 2 hours i got the refund of 250 rupees that they deducted from my account.
At some point i feel, its not their fault. It is we consumers who are so dumb that these fellas are making money out of us.
Ritesh says
Just thought of updating you on some collection related issues this time.
1) No one can contact you without your will.
2) You can simply ask them to proceed with the legal actions instead of visiting you or giving you a call. Tell them you would like to receive a legal notice.
3) You can report any contact with them.
4) You can simply tell the collection agencies, that since you took the loan/card from the bank, you would prefer to discuss it only with them. Simply refuse to discuss your issues with any 3rd party, they have to abide with this.
5) In case you feel like being harassed, contact a lawyer, file a suite against collection agency, bank, their heirs, for mental harassment and agony. this can be put under the criminal court as well as consumer court.
6) File a FIR immediately if they threaten you.
Under these circumstances,a call can be treated as threatening call :
You get calls frequently (even if you get it more than once)
You pick up the phone and no one speaks.
You pick up the phone and person is abusing or using harsh/abusive language or even if he is being rude to you or offending you in any way.
If the person on the other end, threatens to hurt:
your property
life
physically
your belongings
your near ones or even if he threatens to talk to your neighbors/friends/relatives/family members about your credit (according to banks privacy policy, they will not share your credit and personal details with any 3rd party, this language is mandatory to have in the privacy policy)
So next time you get a collection call, ask them to serve you a legal notice.
Ashok says
How to curb harassment by private banks
Almost all of us have been a victim of the private banks and harassed by them. Whether you hold an account or a credit card or have taken a loan, you had complaints. You must know that these banks are harboured by the authorities and ministers. These folks have been bribing them rather we should say “The authorities are fed on the pieces thrown by these bankers”.
This is why the general public has been suffering of high inflation and worsening economic conditions.
Here is the way out to curb these cheaters. Simply follow these steps:
1. IF YOU ARE HOLDING AN ACCOUNT WITH A PRIVATE BANK, CLOSE IT AND OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT WITH A NATIONALISED BANK
2. If you are in a job, DO NOT ACCEPT YOUR SALARY THROUGH CHEQUES OF THESE PRIVATE BANKS, SPECIALLY ICICI BANK
3. If you are into business, DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS, THROUGH CHEQUES OF THESE PRIVATE BANKS, SPECIALLY ICICI BANK
4. STOP USING ATMs OF PRIVATE BANKS OR ELSE YOU MAY RECEIVE EITHER FAKE NOTES OR RS.100 NOTES INSTEAD OF RS.1000 NOTES
5. IF YOU HAVE INVESTED IN THEIR STOCKS, SELL YOUR SHARES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
6. IF YOU ARE A CREDIT CARD HOLDER, GET IT CANCELLED AT THE EARLIEST
7. IF YOU HAVE TAKEN A LOAN, EITHER RE-IMBURSE IT OR GET IT TRANSFERRED TO A NATIONALISED BANK
8. IF YOU ARE EMPLOYED WITH A PRIVATE BANK, START LOOKING FOR A JOB OR ELSE YOU MAY SOON BECOME JOBLESS
9. Trust banking with the Nationalised Bank’s only. Even if their is service is not very prompt and advanced, give them business opportunities and very soon they shall improve.
IF YOU DON’T TRUST THE ABOVE RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU MAY HAVE TO REGRET…
Come on India! Wake Up and act wisely!
Kindly do not advise me to go to the consumer courts or judicial authorities. Even though there are some honest and dutiful people, our system makes them THE SLAVES OF LEGISLATURE
idhar jangal ka kanoon chalta hai…. har taqatwar apne se kam ko markar jeeta hai
I have taken an oath to ruin ICICI Bank
Ashok says
I swear by Mother India to ruin entire ICICI group
All those who have a bank account with ICICI Bank are advised to withdraw their money and close their bank accounts as early as possible. If anybody believes I am speaking thin air, may have to regret.
If anybody still trusts ICICI Bank, or believes it is honest & transparent, think over it once again.
These people have been bribing Banking Ombudsman (Reserve Bank of India)
I also swear by Mother India to shut down The Banking Ombudsman…
for they are hand in gloves with the private banks and settle the consumers’ complaints only in the favor of such banks. Because their officers are fed on the pieces thrown by such private banks
In addition, The Banking Ombudsman is only an alternate forum. It does not have the status and authority of The Consumer Courts. All of you must be aware of it
So, in case you have any complaint against any bank, do approach The Banking Ombudsman. Do not lodge your complaint with them. The Banking Ombudsman is only here to make folly of the consumers
All such alternate forums must be shut down. If they have the right to form alternate forums, why should not we people of India…
Setup & establish genuine courts which actually deliver justice and in time too!
मेरी नज़रों में यह सिसà¥à¤Ÿà¤® à¤à¤• चरà¥à¤¬à¥€ वाला कारतूस है और मैं इसे मà¥à¤‚ह लगाने से इंकार करता हूà¤
इधर जंगल का कानून चलता है… हर ताक़तवर अपने से कम को मार कर जीता है
This article is also sent to our impotent, toothless, powerless, inactive, FAKE & LAWLESS AUTHORITIES LIKE:
The President of India
The Supreme Court of India
The Parliament of India
Ministry of Finance
National Human Rights Commission
& many more
Jai Hind!
Param Lowe says
I was one of the victims of recent Vodafone mobile tower installation scam. I transfered Rs.5000 from my account with ICICI Bank to another ICICI Bank account holder. I approached ICICI Bank as soon as I read news about these thugs in newspaper, got their account freezed but ICICI Bank refused to make any recovery/refund from this scamster’s account. I have even provided ICICI Bank the residential addresses of the the account holders, but they have not shown any customer friendlyness. The experience I have with ICICI Bank is not a good one, though UBI and PNB are much customer friendly banks in comparison to ICICI Bank.