HDFC Bank — Complaint regarding wrongful deduction of ACH Debit Return Charges

Address: Sunrise Apartment, Swati Block -303, Lucknow

Respected Sir/Madam,

I would like to lodge a formal complaint against HDFC Bank regarding the wrongful deduction of ACH Debit Return Charges from my account.

I had an EMI payment scheduled through the auto-debit facility linked to my bank account. However, due to insufficient balance in the registered auto-debit account on the due date, the debit failed. Prior to or on the same date, I had already made the EMI payment manually from another bank account to avoid any default.

Despite the EMI being duly paid through the alternate account, HDFC Bank has deducted the following charges from my account under the head “ACH Debit Return Charges”:

• ₹590
• ₹649

These charges have been imposed even though there was no actual default in EMI payment, as the amount was already credited from my other account.

I believe these charges are unfair, unjustified, and amount to deficiency in service. The bank failed to consider that the EMI obligation had already been fulfilled and still imposed penal charges.

I request the honorable authority to:

Direct HDFC Bank to refund the wrongly deducted amount of ₹1, 239 (₹590 + ₹649).

Ensure no such unjust charges are imposed in future.

Take appropriate action for deficiency in banking service.

I have attached relevant transaction proofs and bank statements for reference.

I request an urgent resolution of this matter.

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. How can you inculcate habit of regular savings if you penalise so harshly for not having balance.

Hdfc bank has to return this money.

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.