A consumer forum in Delhi has instructed SBI Cards & Payments Services Pvt. Ltd. to compensate MJ Anthony, a former journalist, with Rs 2 lakh. The forum found the company guilty of repeatedly sending bills to Anthony despite the expiry of his card and subsequently blacklisting him for non-payment. The New Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ruled in Anthony’s favor, directing the company to compensate him for their deficient services.
Anthony had requested the company to cancel his card before it expired in April 2016. Despite receiving a confirmation of cancellation in September, the company continued to send him bills. The accumulated bills, including charges and penalties, amounted to Rs 2,946 by May 18, 2017.
The company’s actions had negative consequences for Anthony. They added his name to the CIBIL system, which tracks wilful defaulters, making it difficult for him to obtain credit from other institutions. This affected his credit history and hindered his ability to secure loans or credit cards.
The consumer forum observed that the company’s placement of Anthony’s name on the wilful defaulters list in the CIBIL system resulted in the denial of his credit card applications at another bank, despite his long-standing accounts there for almost 20 years.
Recognizing the company’s deficient services, the forum ordered SBI Cards & Payments Services Pvt. Ltd. to compensate Anthony with Rs 2 lakh within two months. Failure to comply would result in an increased amount of Rs 3 lakh payable.
This decision highlights the importance of providing quality services to customers and respecting their rights. It serves as a reminder for financial institutions to address customer complaints promptly and responsibly, ensuring that individuals are not unfairly penalized or inconvenienced due to negligence or procedural lapses.