[Resolved]  HSBC Savings Account — Absurd Service Charges Levied on Savings Account

I have been a customer with HSBC bank for over 5 years now and never have I faced problems as such.

About 3 years back I had visited the HSBC Four bungalows, Andheri West branch to close my savings account as I was not using it, the only reason it was operational was because of my personal loan account no.[protected] ECS which I have with your bank. I discussed this with a Customer Care Exec named Sonika at the branch and she told me that I could continue using this account for my personal loan ecs and no fees or fines or AMC would be charged to me, so it would be ok if I do not maintain the required balance in the account as the personal loan was also taken from your bank.

This January, my loan installment was stopped due to insufficient funds in my account. I was surprised as I had deposited Rs. 6, 000/- cash to clear the emi. After inquiring with the call centre the reps told me that I had been charged an absurd fee of Rs. 1800/- for non maintenance of account and that was the reason for the EMI bounce. I am being charged this fine for over a year now without any intimation or sign, which is totally ridiculous. Over a period of 3 years I have been depositing a sum of Rs. 6, 000/- against my EMI amount of Rs. 5917/-, I am still wondering where has my Rs.83/- which I have deposited for over 33 months dissapeared. HSBC has no reply on the same.

I visited the HSBC branch at Juhu Scheme on Friday, February 27, 2009 and met an executive that goes by the name, Khushnaz Wadiwalla. She said that a courier had been sent to me with regards to maintaining my account, which I haven't received, not 1, not 2, I have never received a correspondence with this regard. She then put in a request for a reversal but told me straight that there was a 1 percent chance of me getting a reversal for the same. She said she would get back to me within 24 working hours, it has been more than 48 working hours and I still haven't heard from her. I wanted to check for the status of the reversal application but I can't do the same as the HSBC, JVPD branch doesn't have a landline number and no other contact no. was given to me.

I don't quite understand this, but isn't HSBC supposed to do at least 1 follow up to check if the customer has or hasn't received the important correspondence. Or is this HSBC's way of dealing with recession by charging it's valuable customers exorbitant fines and charges. I sincerely request you to view my banking history with HSBC, you would observe, that my last 36 installments were all paid on time, no late fees or charges whatsoever. Even my credit card payments are done on time. I have never been a defaulter with HSBC bank and have always maintained a healthy relationship, but such incidents could just leave a hole in the relationship which has been built over a period of 5 years and more.

I would highly appreciate it if you could look in to this matter and help me get a reversal of the charges levied on me and help restore my faith and confidence in HSBC Bank.