[Resolved]  HDFC Bank — ACH debit return charges

I have a salary account with hdfc bank. I have started with sip in mutual funds (Groww) using auto-pay option. But i didn't have sufficient balance in sip date so i have been charged ach debit return charges of rs 590 is deducted from my account and now my balance is showing -1073 rs on 30/04/2021.

I have called customer care and they told me that this amount is deducted because of payment bounce.

I have never been informed that this would be charged due to lack of funds. What are these charges for! Why are they so high. It is not a debt i have to pay. It is sip. How can you inculcate habit of regular savings if you penalise so harshly for not having balance.

Hdfc bank has to return this money. There was no intimation from the bank on the consequences of not keeping sip amount in account.

Please help me resolve this. People are losing trust in public banks and now these banks also!!!. Although it doesn't make a difference to hdfc bank for sure, but i will close my account if it is not returned. If auto debiting is a service you provide as a bank, then it is your duty to inform me of the charges for the same. Heights of fraud. You must give me a warning that if funds are insufficient you will be charged. Nothing was there.

Please please help me resolve this and return my money.
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Aug 5, 2021
Complaint marked as Resolved 
HDFC Bank customer support has been notified about the posted complaint.
Verified Support
May 03, 2021
HDFC Bank Customer Care's response
Dear Customer,

We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused. This is not the experience we want you to have. Your query has been shared with the concerned team for further action. Our bank official will respond to your query on or before May 06, 2021.

-Anay
HDFC Bank Customer Assistance
 
2 Comments

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I have saving account with HDFC, I have started with sip in mutual funds using auto-pay option. But i didn't have sufficient balance in sip date so i have been charged ACH debit return charges of RS 2419 is deducted from my account on 18/08/2022.

This first time in happen in my account not sufficient amount.

I have reached to my RM request to revert back amount but no positive response.

Regards
Lakshmi
[protected]
Dear HDFC Bank Customer Support Team,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the ACH debit return charges that were recently deducted from my HDFC salary account without prior intimation. The details are as follows:

Bank Account Type: Salary Account

Bank Name: HDFC Bank

Issue Date:[protected]

Charges Deducted: ₹429.31, ₹590, ₹531 (Total: ₹1, 550.31)

Reason Given: Payment bounce due to insufficient balance for SIP transaction (Groww - Auto Pay)

I was shocked to see these deductions from my account, as I was never informed that such high charges would be applied for a SIP auto-debit failure. The bank did not notify me about these penalty charges in advance, nor was there any prior communication regarding the consequences of not maintaining sufficient funds for SIP payments.

A SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) is meant to encourage regular savings, and penalizing customers so heavily for a failed transaction contradicts this principle. The charges applied are excessive, especially considering that SIP is not a debt obligation but a voluntary investment.

As a responsible banking institution, it is HDFC Bank’s duty to clearly inform customers about such charges beforehand. The lack of communication on this matter is concerning and erodes customer trust.

I request the following actions to be taken immediately:

Refund the deducted amount of ₹1, 550.31, as I was not notified of these charges beforehand.

Provide a clear explanation of why such high penalty fees are levied for an auto-debit failure.

Ensure that customers receive timely notifications about penalties before imposing such deductions.

If this matter is not resolved promptly, I will be left with no choice but to escalate the complaint to the Banking Ombudsman (RBI) and consider closing my account with HDFC Bank. I expect a swift resolution and look forward to your response at the earliest.

Kindly acknowledge this complaint and provide a resolution as soon as possible. You may reach me at +91-[protected] or [protected]@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Amar Rajaram Jondhalekar

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