I had a credit card from Citibank. In august 2004 I opted for the group medical insurance policy for my parents.I also opted for the accident policy. Premium for the main policy was about Rs.8000 and accident policy was about Rs.400. In august 2005 I recd a communication from citibank asking for cancellation of the policy in writing.This brochure stated that if I do not send this cancellation form it would be auto renewed. Knowing Citibank I immediately filled up the form and mailed it to their chennai office. In the meantime I received a bill with the insurance charges added up (Rs.400). I called up and asked them to cancel it since I had sent my cancellation request. Next month I received another bill where rs.400 was cancelled but rs.8000 had been added up. I called up again asking them to cancel the same. But this cancellation was never done. On furter enquiry I was told that this cancellation will be done by their chennai HO. I stopped using the card and making any payments after this as I realised that they were sending bills with late payment charges etc. inspite of my cancellation notice. After this I started getting calls asking for payment. When I told them the facts of the case they insisted on written reply which I faxed to them. Inspite of that I kept on receiving calls which started getting nastier. Last few months I have not received any calls but still getting the bills which are increasing every month and today it comes to around Rs.25000. Do you think they will go for legal action? Can I make them stop sending the bills? Logically if they have reversed one charge(400) on my written/oral request they should have done the same for the second charge (8000)also. I know I stand on strong grounds but only bothered about the later harrassement if they go to court. Do you have any advice on this? Ashwin
RE:Who taught all these tricks to Indian banks? CITIBANK
by Smita Seth on Mar 05, 2007 11:07 PM Permalink
Do you have any proof of the cancelation of the main policy? Did you courier the cancelation note? Do you have a POD or AD from the Post office? If you have some proof that you sent the same to their office in Chennai, you can approach them with a xerox of the same. Have they issued any policy to you? If they haven't then you can approach the New India Assurance ( i believe it is the company)whose address and phone no. you would find on the last policy issued to you to find out if they have indeed renewed your policy. If they haven't then there is no case to pay this premium. Even if they have and you had sent a cancellation note, you can appraoch the banking ombudsman at www.rbi.org.in and lodge your complaint.
RE:Who taught all these tricks to Indian banks? CITIBANK
by shailesh matkar on Mar 02, 2007 03:41 PM Permalink
I have had the same expirience with citibank debit cards too... intially it was "Free for life" now it has become FEE for life.
You can fill up a complaint form & send that to Citibank, there are further procedures too...
