Refund of saving bank account closure charges?

Question

Sir/Madam, 
I had my S/B Acc No. xxxxxxxxxx2498  for last 25 years. As it was inconvenient to operate that account after my retirement from my office, I closed that account. At that time, I was informed by the Bank officers/staff that no service charges will be deducted for this purpose, However, Bank has deducted Rs. 342/- for this. Bank website indicates that the charges for account closure would be applicable only if the account is closed within one year from its opening.The same practice is adopted by other banks also. When I approached the branch, the concerned officers informed that it was done automatically by the computer. This act by the bank is against the consumer and amounts to the hidden charges. I am a Sr. citizen of 65 years.

In the light of above points, I filed my complaint to bank customer care on 4-8-2015. There was no response. Hence, I sent reminder on the same address on 10-9-15. Apart from, redressing my grievance, it is regretted that they did not even acknowledge the complaints. This is how, the system is functioning. 

Therefore, I am approaching your authority by this e-mail to direct the authorities to refund Rs, 342/- which were erroneously deducted by them. 

Hope that you will look in to the matter & redress my grievance. Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail with the complaint number.

Thanks & regards.

Yours sincerely
Ramchandra M. Khaladkar

Answer 1

Dear Ramchandra

At the outset, let me clarify that this site is designed by a group of Senior Banking Professionals to assist Bank Customers at large to provide guidance for resolution of any complain/query/grievance in respect of financial services. This site does not belong to any Bank or a regulator, which may please be noted.

As rightly stated by you, the bank is not in order in levying account closure charges, when you maintained it for about 25 years.  Since the home branch is not responding to your requests / complaints, please take it up with the Bank's management / banking ombudsman.  The process is given hereunder.

1.    Go to your Bank’s website and search for grievance redressal (or similar name) button and submit your complaint online.

2.    If you do not receive any reply / satisfactory reply within 10 days, lodge your complaint with the Nodal officer of the Bank (either through email or letter)

3.    If you do not receive any reply / satisfactory reply within 10 days from the Nodal officer, lodge your complaint with the Principal Nodal officer of the Bank (either through email or letter)

4.     If you are still not satisfied with the reply / do not receive reply from the Principal Nodal officer within 10 days, lodge your complaint with the Banking Ombudsman (either through letter or email)

RAJA