Nov 14, 2008 11:45 AM
7070 Views
(Updated Nov 14, 2008 03:54 PM)
For those of you who are interested in my story on what has happened and what steps I have taken.
I had my net banking enabled with HDFC. On Oct 22 & Oct 28, 2008, there were 3 fraudulant net banking transactions on my account.87, 518 rupees were illegally withdrawn from my account. The money has been transfered to 3 beneficiaries to thier HDFC bank accounts. I have no relationship with all the 3 parties either personally or with reference to any business. I have never met these persons nor have I interacted with them either on phone or through any other mode of communication. Bank initially kept on insisting that this was not a serious issue and there was nothing to worry about and they will be able to recover the money. They in fact insisted, that I should not approach either cops or court as it will just prolong the case and they in fact will be able to extract the money in a better and faster way.
Despite after 1 month when no progress was made. I filed a FIR with the cyber Crime Police station, bangalore. In the meanwhile the bank branch officials forced me to sign a letter stating that I might have diluted my net banking information by accessing some spam email. They said, they will help me recover the money only after I sign the letters. I naively signed those letters. All the 3 benefiters have been traced, however only one of the parties is willing to refund the money. But now bank is trying to act smart. They have insisted that I sign a letter which states that post the recovery of money from this party, I will not make any claims for the remaining balance amount from the other 2 parties. When I refused, they are now refusing to release the funds which one of the parties has already returned. This is all due to the fact that HDFC bank’s netbanking security system relies on verification of just the static username and password, and thier is no dynamic element to it, which other banks have. From day one HDFC bank is acting suspisously.
https://mouthshut.com/review/HDFC_Bank-149134-1.html
As per the standing instruction issued by me to HDFC Bank, they are bound to send alert for any withdrawals / transfer from my account to my registered e-mail ID, and on my registered Mobile No. I used to get alert SMS and alert emails each time I made a net banking transaction. But, they have not sent any alert to me for these fraudulent transactions. By not sending alert as instructed by the customer the it has committed deficiency in service resulting in financial loss to me. If I had received alert about transfer of funds I would have freezed my account and other two fraudulent transactions would have been averted.
They have changed my email id, mobile No., Office Phone No., Customer ID & Password and question to change the password, without written confirmation by me. Changing my personal information without my written confirmation amounts to manipulation of registered information of a customer by the Opposite Party. Effecting changes in the registered information of my account without making validation checks caused loss to me.
Why have they never lodged police complaint or lodged a complaint with the RBI which is norm for all the frauds beyond 10, 000 as per RBI Guidelines.
HSBC Bank is providing Dynamic Security device to its customers for net banking. Whenever the customer intends to transact in net banking he has to press a button of the device then a unique number will appear in the device. The customer has to use that number with username and password to access his account. The customer has to keep the device in the safe custody. Even after knowing the password the hacker will not be able to access the account without the unique number provided by the dynamic security device. Why HDFC doesnt have this? Have we all bother y there are so many bank hacking cases with HDFC. Can some one tell me once case for HSBC.
ICICI Bank also uses dynamic input from the GRID, which is sent to the users registered phone number from the ICICI server. To get access to net banking the dynamic code sent by the bank is required. Where is HDFC interms of technology.
Hi All,
I am a Victim myself of HDFC net banking, I am not canvassing for somebody. I am just trying to help people. Please contact the below mentioned person [He is my lawyer] or any other lawyer in your respective city who handles net banking frauds. We can not allow Banks to us for a ride.
Regards
Sridhar
From: madhusudhana prabhu
Subject: Article of circulation regarding Consumers Dispute.
To: raghav.shenoy@gmail.com
Cc: "Ravichandra Prabhu" prabhu200780@yahoo.co.in
Date: Friday, 26 September, 2008, 7:15 PM
Dear Sridhari, As discussed, I am sending an article for circulation. Please do the needful. ------------------------------------------------------------
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Sir,
Due to increase in Internet Banking fraudulent transactions by hacking account details of the customers are also increasing. Amount in the a/c of the customer is fraudulently transferred without his notice by hacking his a/c with the Bank.
The person whose money is transferred through Internet Banking by using the secret PIN has no effective remedy to recover his money. Banks will not come to the rescue of the customers and filing complaint with Cyber Police or filing Civil/Criminal case is of no use. In such a scenario Consumers Courts provide effective remedy. In many cases where the Bank is negligent and failed to provide safety and security to the account details of the customer for Internet Banking or failed to give alert to the customer when the a/c details are changed and money is transferred fraudulently the Consumer Courts have provided adequate relief. Under such circumstances the aggrieved person can seek effective and efficacious remedy from the Consumer Court .
Approaching the Consumer Court is also effective in cases of Defective/delay in construction, rejection of Mediclaim and other Insurance claims, deficiency in service of Banks, Service providers, Merchants etc by seeking compensation and damages. If you have any such problems you may contact the undersigned, an advocate having experience in dealing with consumers cases for any advice or for filing complaint.
Regards,
Madusudan Prabhu
