Following my post on failed ATM transactions, a reader wrote in with his story.
On October 15, 2008, I tried to withdraw Rs 4,000 using my Citibank debit card at an HSBC ATM. The peculiar thing about HSBC ATMs is that the transaction slip is printed before the cash is dispensed. Unfortunately, there was a power failure after the transaction slip was generated but before the cash could be dispensed. Even my debit card was swallowed by the ATM. I lodged a complaint with Citibank who issued a new debit card and gave a temporary credit of Rs 4,000 (on October 22, 2008). Having received the temporary credit, I discarded the transaction slip.
On December 31, 2008, the temporary credit was reversed, and upon inquiry, was given the reason that HSBC had presented this as a valid transaction. I lodged a complaint again; Citibank re-investigated and upheld the reversal. I have been fighting with Citibank but to no avail. Citibank says that the best they can do is to issue a letter in order that I can pursue the case with HSBC. What should I do? I’m not sure if it’s worth going to consumer court for Rs 4,000.
I realized that other readers of this blog might have faced a similar situation and hence asked this reader for permission to post his question. What do you suggest that this reader do in order to resolve this problem?
My advise was to lodge a complaint with the nearest banking ombudsman.
Further reading:
- Ask the Readers: How Can I Get a [Duplicate] Copy of My Acknowledged Income Tax Returns?
- Ask the Readers: What Should I Do If an ATM Gives Me a Counterfeit Currency Note?
- Real Experiences: Barclays Priority Circle [of Misery]
- Case Study #4 — Why I Don’t Own a Credit Card?
- Case Study #5 — Why I Don’t Own a Credit Card?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Might just help
This happened to me in Dec 07. Withdrew 4k from citibank but no money came out
but transaction slip showed 4k less balance. Immediately lodged a complaint with citibank and it was reversed by Dec 31 ‘07. Had to call them twice and each time took a reference number from the agent but finally they called back and confirmed the reversal.
Hi stumbled upon ur blog.
The bank should pay back the customer.Every day when the atm is replenished they take the closing balance and do the tally with the amount of withdrawl. There itself they will come to know of the excess cash (withdrawl slips shows the amt withdrawn but cash didnt come out).Maybe bank will take 3-4 days,but the excess cash is diffently seen.