[Resolved]  Citibank India — Penalised without intimation, my money is lost

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have a Bank Account with Citibank wide Suvidha Account since 2000. Details :
A/C NO:[protected] at
Citibank N.A
102-104, Prestige Meridan -II
30 M.G Road, Bangalore- 560001

The account was active up to 31st March 2007 with a balance of Rs.4718.81/- as on April 2007.
I left India during that time on my visit to USA. There were no Transactions since April 2007 and I have not drawn any money from the account. I have kept the account without closing as I may need the bank account once i returned to India.

Recently in the month of March 2009 when I inquired about my balance I was informed that I have a negative balance of Rs.193.74/-. Citibank informed me they have been charging the service charge of Rs.280.90/- periodically at a regular intervals; thereby, the balance of Rs.4718/- as been brought down to Rs. -193.74/-

At no time I was informed by the bank that they will be debiting my account periodical charges of Rs.280.90/- on a monthly basis. The bank claims to have sent an e-mail which I did not receive. I also did not receive any written mail informing me on the same.

I am at a loss to understand how any Bank can collect charges from the SB a/c instead of paying interest. If the bankers were not willing to have my account they could have close the account and returned the balance amount instead of debiting the service charges.
I do not understand the justification of charging the service charges amounting to Rs.4718/- during the past 20 months.

I am an innocent girl having a bank account and now when I need the money for my immediate need, I was informed by the bank that only a sum of Rs. -193.74/- credit balance is available.

Kindly look in to the matter and see that justice is done by asking the bank to refund the unjustified service charges of Rs.4534/- collected from me.

Thanking you

Yours Truly

Jyotsna Krishnaswamy