I was having a NRE Account with Medecal College Branch of
State Bank of Travancore in Trivandrum. I had transferred an amount of INR 232,732 from Saudi Arabia, through "Telemoney" a subsidiary of ANB (Arab NAtional Bank) on 13 October 2009 vide remittance ref no[protected]. I enquired on 19 October with Mr.Santosh, Branch Manager of SBT and he stated that no amount has been transferred to my account. Again on 20th and 21st I got the same reply. So I called up "Telemoney" in Jeddah Saudi Arabia and they confirmed that the money was already transferred on 14th October through
Federal Bank in Ernakulam. Then, I called up
Federal Bank and they gave me the DD no that was sent by courier to SBT on 15th October. Earlier, Mr.Santoh was telling that
Federal Bank usually makes delay in transfers, and he asked me to contact
Federal bank by myself. But, I sensed foulplay as
Federal Bank confirmed back with the DD number and date. Then again I contacted Santosh and his new explanation was - "May be the courier might have delivered somewhere else"!! Again I contacted
Federal bank and this time they provided me with the POD number of the courier company (Professiona Couriers). Then I visited the local office of the courier company and I have observed that the envelope with the DD was received by the bank along with two other letters on 16th October 2009. Then again I called Santosh and this time he was telling that he had received the draft on 20th Octoberwhich gain was baseless. Soon I rushed to the bank and he was ot ready to admit the mistake he did. I was in a hurry because I am returning after vacation on 23rd October and this incident had upset my vacation plans.
My immediate reaction was to cancel my account with SBT. This is a perfect example of how the bank take the consumers for a ride. I have claimed my telephone calls to Saudi Arabia, amounting to Rs.360 and calls to Ernakulam amounting to Rs.30 and loss of interest for 6 days for an amount of Rs. 232732. In addition to that the loss I incurred by spoiling my vacation plans, and the tension I have been through this period.
Please let other consumers know about this and such incidents should not happen to others. I wouls like SBT management to take action against Mr.Santosh, AGM, SBT Medical College branch for cheating. The DD was received by him on 16th October and he continued to bluff till the evening of 21st october, when I exposed him with all the evidences.