[Resolved]  HDFC Bank — Collection agents Harassing and intimidating my Extended family

Address:

Mumbai City, Maharashtra

I'm composing this message under extreme duress and pressure. I have been receiving a series of calls from what claim to be HDFC bank's recovery agents/ associates. I received a call a few days ago from a number from +[protected] mentioning about a credit card debt that I owe the bank. I was taken aback unguarded; when I was told that there was a credit card debt on my name. I asked the person what the amount was and he mentioned it to be INR 363, 073. 73 approximately. I was told to settle this amount as soon as possible to avoid any legal issues as the caller (Mr. Bireshwar Parui) stressed that they have a Warrant for my arrest. Here's where it gets tricky: My extended family starts getting calls from unknown people stating that I'm a Fraudster and that they are calling to inquire on my whereabouts from Kanjurmarg Police station. The gentleman also left his mobile number with my sister for me to return his call: +[protected] stating his name as Mr. Gupta. I called Mr. Gupta's number on 15th October, 2013 to understand what was exactly going on. I wanted to clear the air and doubts. Upon addressing the *211-311 number I got shouted at, sworn at and intimidated. I asked him the for the reason his aggravation and all he said that I shouldn't be calling a police officer late in the evening. He also told that his name was Mr. Kamble and not Mr. Gupta. A few minutes later I get a missed call from another number: +[protected]. I called this number to figure out what was exactly happening. To add to my misery this new person also identified himself as Mr. Kamble and put me on hold and pretended to confer with someone my details and started swearing on my mother and my sister. I did not want to continue the conversation and simply told him to talk to me properly. He continued swearing at me and I asked him his badge & shoulder number and he simply gave me a phoney one. I was still composed and told him we could have this conversation the following morning. he hung up on me abruptly. I really felt lost and distraught but did not give up. I rang the Kanjurmarg police station the same instance to ask about the police complain and was told that there was nothing against my name held there. I came to the inference that these shady/phoney police officers are none but recovery associates on HDFC bank's payroll. The morning of 15th October, 2013 my father started receiving threatening calls at my brother's residence in Dubai- UAE swearing for my whereabouts. Considering my father's age of 73, I'm seriously worried about these threats. They have been coming from +[protected] number. I understand that the bank is looking for ways to settle these dues but it seems that these guys have abused the access of my social network and my social connections. I've clearly been in touch with the recovery people and the legal team that sent me an email attached below. Then why are these people victimizing my extended family? One of these associates also told my sister that I've been relocating my address several times and that I am a thief and a fraud. This I strongly believe is unacceptable and leads to "Defamation" of character. I have been in touch with all of the recovery agents that left numbers for me and return their calls. I had a conversation with Ravi on +[protected] number on 16th October, 2013 and he just kept pushing me to pay and demoralizing me, all I asked him was a detailed statement of the credit card. As the credit card in question had a limit of INR 96, 000. 00 and these guys were calling me to cough up INR 363, 073. 73. Instead of advising me how the debt tripled in 7-8 years he just kept getting personal and stated a few harsh personal lines. I did not want to match his profanity and told him that I had done talking to him. I called Mr. Bireshwar Parui and asked him for the same statement for the amount spike. He started telling me how he was holding the warrant for me and he was advising me to contact my Indian friends around London so that they could wire the funds locally from India from their Indian bank accounts. I told Mr. Parui that this wasn't possible as these things are extremely personal and people don't like to do these things in this part of the world. He told me that he could only hold the warrant for so long. I asked him to email me a copy of the warrant and he told me that I was changing my story and commitment to pay the debt off. As far I remember I settled my credit card bills by July-September 2006 and I've been living in England ever since. However; I haven't heard from HDFC bank for the last 7 or so years. For argument sake if I owe HDFC bank any monies I don't see the reason for them to intimidate my Family, extended family, friends and my business associates. I seriously want this to stop. I have had this conversation with Mr. Parui and Ravi but despite several requests my brother still has been receiving these calls in Dubai at his residence. This is a clear breach of RBI regulations mentioned below. I'm a legal and law abiding person. If your bank has an issue of my debt recovery it should be strictly addressed to me and me only. HDFC Bank Ltd. is a big entity and I don't think my family deserves this treatment. I understand that I have copied a lot people in power in this matter because it looks like my words fall on deaf ears. We all have the right to live in a world without the fear of intimidation, abuse and assault. Thank you, Best regards, A Dighe. United Kingdom.